Ariarne Titmus, the celebrated swimmer who has claimed four Olympic gold medals, has announced her unexpected retirement from the sport.

The 25-year-old, hailing from Tasmania, steps away from the pool as one of the most accomplished distance swimmers in history.

Initially planning to resume competitive swimming after taking a hiatus following last year’s Olympics, Titmus has opted for a different path.

“Swimming has always been my passion since childhood,” she shared. “However, during my time away, I have realized that there are aspects of life that hold greater significance for me now than swimming.”

At the Paris Olympics last year, Titmus made headlines by securing her third individual Olympic gold medal in the 400m freestyle. This victory was particularly noteworthy as she triumphed in what was dubbed ‘the race of the century,’ besting previous world record holders, American legend Katie Ledecky and Canadian rising star Summer McIntosh.

Ariarne Titmus has called time on a career that has made her one of the greatest swimmers in the history of the sport

The 25-year-old won four Olympic gold medals, including this one for the 400m freestyle at the Paris Games last year

Titmus overcame a health battle before the Olympics when she had surgery to remove an ovarian tumour

In doing so, Titmus became the first Australian athlete since Dawn Fraser in 1964 to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event.

Before the Paris Games, Titmus underwent surgery to remove an ovarian tumour.

‘I always intended to return, I never thought that Paris would be my last Olympic Games, and knowing now what I know, I wish I had’ve maybe enjoyed that last race a little bit more.

‘But I guess having this 12 months away, I had a chance to explore what life is like without swimming, and that was always my intention.

‘A turning point for me, or a time when a switch was flicked, in the lead-up to the Paris Games I went through some health challenges which, quite frankly, rocked me mentally.

‘It probably was the first time where I considered some things outside of swimming.

‘My whole swimming career I’ve been all or nothing, and that’s how I’ve had to be to become the athlete that I am. I’ve just been in this ruthless pursuit for my goals. 

‘Delving more into those health challenges, I’ve really had to look within and think about what’s most important to me.

Titmus is pictured in hospital after surgery to remove an ovarian tumour in August 2023. She said the health scare played a huge role in her decision to quit the pool

Pictured: The pool queen delivers the shocking news in an Instagram video

‘Beyond swimming, I’ve always had goals in my personal life … more than anything I’m excited for what’s next.’

Titmus steps away from the sport as the current 200m world record holder, having won a staggering haul of 33 international medals including eight Olympic medals – four gold, three silver and one bronze – and four world titles.

In her Instagram post, Titmus said her greatest achievement is going into the Tokyo Games as an underdog in 2021 and beating Ledecky in the 400m free.

‘There’s nothing like the first one,’ she said of that gold medal. 

‘To achieve your lifelong goal in an instant is something that’s really hard to replicate.’ 

The Tasmanian said the cancer scare just before the Paris Games made her even more aware of making the most of life – and her swimming career – while she could.

‘That was probably the best thing that could have happened to me, to be honest … I’m only young once and I want to really make the most of this moment in my life,’ she said.

‘The chance that I have to race at the Olympic Games, not just being an Olympian but fighting for medals and gold medals, is very rare, so I just want to take every opportunity I can and enjoy the moment.

Despite her incredible success at the Paris Games, the Tasmanian chose another win as the achievement she’s proudest of

‘I think when I was younger I was always just looking to the next thing, to the next thing, to the next thing, but as I’m getting older I’m trying to sink into the moment and enjoy them more.’

The retirement announcement drew tributes from some of the biggest names in Australian swimming.

‘I’m so proud of you. You are a legend in and out of the pool. You’ve inspired me so much over the years and I am honoured to call you my friend!!’ Kyle Chalmers wrote.

Summer McIntosh, Mollie O’Callaghan, Susie O’Neill, Bronte Campbell and Kaylee McKeown also left their congratulations and best wishes.

Titmus has been working with Channel Nine since her incredible run at the Paris Games, helping out with the broadcaster’s coverage of the Australian Open tennis and will be appearing in the new show SHARK! next year.

She’ll join Block host Scott Cam and other high-profile personalities to confront their fear of sharks in the Bahamas.