Titmus, who famously defeated U.S. swimming star Katie Ledecky at the Paris Games, was expected to compete in the 2028 Olympics.
Published October 16, 2025
Australian four-time Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus has retired from competitive swimming at the age of 25, ending a glittering career that marked the sport’s great rivalry with American Katie Ledecky.
Titmus confirmed his decision on Thursday, stepping down as one of Australia’s most decorated athletes with eight Olympic medals and four world titles.
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The decision came as a shock to her country, and the swimming world in general, as she had long planned to return to the pool at the 2028 Los Angeles Games to further pursue Olympic glory.
“It was tough, really tough, but I’m really happy about it,” she said of her decision in a video on social media.
“I love swimming, I’ve always loved swimming, I had a passion for swimming from a young age.
“But I think this time away from the pool, I realized that some of the things that I’ve always valued in my life mattered a little bit more to me.”
century lace
Titmus defended her title by defeating Ledecky and Canada’s Summer McIntosh in the 400m freestyle final at the Paris Games, which was dubbed the “Race of the Century,” and won her third individual Olympic gold medal.
After Paris, she decided to take a year off from competing and training to recharge and skipped the World Championships in Singapore, choosing instead to cover the competition as a TV commentator.
However, his return to the pool never materialized.
Titmus, who had surgery to remove a benign tumor on her ovary eight months before Paris, said her health problems had reminded her of a life outside of swimming.
Titmus, who will retire as the 200m freestyle world record holder, said: “It forced me to dig deeper into my health challenges and think about what is most important to me.”
“Besides swimming, I have always had goals in my personal life.
“More than anything, I’m excited to see what happens next.”
The retirement of Titmus, who has been the face of Australian swimming for the past two Olympics, deprives the national team of an inspirational leader who was instrumental in restoring Australia to swimming superpower status after a decade of decline.
incredible career
Born in Tasmania, Titmus moved to Queensland in his early teens to be coached by elite coach Dean Boxall.
She earned the nickname Terminator after winning the 400m and 800m freestyle at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, and made a name for herself in the swimming world by defeating Ledecky in the 400m freestyle at the 2019 World Championships.
Two years later, her swim that eclipsed Ledecky and snatched the 400m freestyle crown at the Tokyo Games instantly became swimming legend, with enthusiastic celebrations from Vauxhall in the stands.
By successfully defending her title in Paris, she became the first Australian woman to compete in two consecutive individual swimming events since Dawn Fraser in the 1960s.
Titmus also won two silver medals and a relay gold medal at the Paris Games, finishing runner-up to Ledecky in the thrilling 800-meter freestyle final.
She always said Ledecky, the “goat” of women’s swimming, made her a better competitor, and while their rivalry was intense, outside of the pool they only praised each other, hugged each other and said kind words.
The American great was among those who congratulated Titmus on his career after announcing his retirement.
“An outstanding competitor, champion, and human being!” she wrote on Titmus’ Instagram feed.
