Ariarne Titmus Explains Why She Quit Swimming at 25
Ariarne Titmus, the Tasmanian swimmer famous for winning her third individual gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year, has revealed the heartfelt reason behind her sudden retirement.
Decision Made for Personal Priorities
The four-time Olympic gold medallist announced her retirement about a month ago, initially giving a vague reason that certain aspects of her life had become more important than swimming.
Clarification on What Matters Most
Now, Titmus has shared that her new relationship with Mac Powell and her family were the key factors in her decision.
"In my personal life - and this was really the crux of the decision - you have to be quite a selfish person to be an athlete," Titmus told News Corp.
She added that she had accepted not celebrating birthdays with friends or missing family events throughout her career but was no longer willing to prioritize swimming over her loved ones.
"I wasn't willing to go back to the life where I made the decision to put my family second. I also met my partner right after the [Paris] Olympics. I wasn't willing to put that on the backburner."
Summary
Ariarne Titmus retired to focus on her relationship and family, choosing personal happiness over her demanding athletic career.