Libby Trickett says goodbye to swimming

Dual Olympian, world record holder and multiple world champion Libby Trickett has today announced that she will retire from competitive swimming with immediate effect.

One of Australia’s most decorated female swimmers of the modern era, the 24-year-old plans to spend more time with her family and look to pursue a career in the media with Network TEN and ONE.

According to Swimming Australia, speaking at today’s announcement, Trickett said it has been the most difficult decision of her life, but one she is now completely comfortable with.

“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about for almost a year now, and after much consideration and speaking with my family and close friends I know that I am ready to move on to the next stage of my life and career,” said Trickett.

“Swimming is such a great sport to be involved with and has been a huge part of my life for such a long time. Through swimming I’ve been able to travel the world doing something that I love and this great sport has provided me with so many fantastic memories and opportunities.”

“I would like to thank everyone for their fantastic support throughout my career, especially my family and coaches Stephan Widmer and Grant Stoelwinder.”

Swimming Australia President David Urquhart said Trickett’s contribution to the success and culture of the Telstra Dolphins Australian Swim Team has been outstanding since first joining the team some seven years ago.

“Libby was a member of the team from a young age, but always conducted herself with the utmost professionalism and respect for the sport,” said Urquhart.

“She has been a member of the leadership group for the last five years, and in that sense we hope she can stay involved with the sport at some level, to pass on her great knowledge and experience.”

“Her legacy and success at Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth level is a tribute to her hard work and commitment over a long period of time and while it’s disappointing she won’t be swimming for Australia again, her achievements and contribution will be well remembered.”

“All we ask of our swimmers is to work hard and give their best, and Libby is a great example of what happens when these two values come together.”

Trickett first joined the Australian team as 17-year-old Libby Lenton in 2002 for the Oceania Championships in Noumea.

A year later she won her first major international medal at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona in 2003 – taking bronze in the 50m butterfly – before going on to taste relay gold at the Athens Olympics in the 4x100m freestyle.

She won three gold medals at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, four gold and one silver in Melbourne at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 and then an incredible five gold medals at the 2007 World Championships again in Melbourne.

Her Olympic dream of individual gold was fulfilled in Beijing last year, winning the 100m butterfly in a commonwealth record time, before teaming up with Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones and Jessicah Schipper to win gold in the 4x100m medley relay.

Bronze in the 100m butterfly and silver in the 4x100m medley at the World Championships in Rome this year, was the last time Trickett competed internationally, while the true champion that she is goes out at the very top of her game, setting a world record in the 100m freestyle at the Telstra Australian Short Course Championships in Hobart.

Trickett’s final swim – an incredible 51.01 seconds for the 100m freestyle – withstood a recent onslaught at the World Cup series and looks set to stand for many years to come.

Lisbeth Trickett (formerly Lisbeth Lenton)

Born: 28/01/1985 Townsville Queensland

Started Swimming: At age one

Physical: 167cm, 63kg

Clubs/Institutes: Commercial QLD/ QAS and SOPAC/NSWIS

Coaches: Stephan Widmer, Grant Stoelwinder

Main Events: 50m and 100m freestyle and butterfly

Stats and Facts

Libby Trickett won six Olympics medals, including three gold from two Olympics – Athens and Beijing

She is the current world record holder for the 100m freestyle over the short course – setting a new world mark of 51.01 in what proved to be her last ever competitive swim at the Telstra Australian Short Course in Hobart in August

In 2007 she married Luke Trickett a former national medallist in the 200m breaststroke and clubmate from Commercial Queensland

Won five gold and two silver medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games

Has eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals from four FINA World Championships

Won the Telstra Swimmer of the Year award in 2007

Made her senior Australian debut in 2002 at the Oceania Championships