Triple Olympian Fran Halsall retires from competitive swimming

Triple Olympian and world champion Fran Halsall has announced her retirement from competitive swimming.

The 26-year old has been one of England and Great Britain’s top swimmers for more than 10 years, competing at five long course World Championships as well as the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

She won 11 Commonwealth medals for England during her career, including 50m Butterfly gold in 2010 and 2014, and 50m Freestyle gold in 2014.

Halsall also claimed three long course World Championship medals; 100m Freestyle silver in 2009, 50m Freestyle bronze in 2013 then Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay gold in 2015, anchoring the British quartet to a world record time.

I’ve never seen swimming as a career or job

“Announcing my retirement from swimming is a weird concept to me as I’ve never, ever seen it as a career or job,” said Halsall. “It has only ever felt like a hobby that I’ve loved doing and happened to be okay at.

“I’ve done it for over a decade now and it’s time for the next chapter of my life. There have been so many people who have committed time, money, wisdom and knowledge into my journey and I will be forever thankful to them.

“Stepping away from the pool is quite a scary decision for someone whose whole adult life to date has revolved around swim, weights, diet, doping tests, outdoor swim camps and lots of napping.

“I am very much looking forward to the next chapter of my life and the normality of eating and drinking what I want, being a ‘regular’ person and experiencing the normal things in life such as bank holidays that you don’t get as an athlete.

“Swimming has taught me so much and given me opportunities along the way that no other career possibly could. I would like to thank all of my family, friends, British swimming, sponsors and everyone who has supported me as part of a fantastic set of memories.”

Halsall’s career in pictures

Scroll through our gallery below to look back on Halsall’s medal-laden career.

Top