Leading swimmer retires: ‘It has been a blast’
Lauren Boyle, the face of New Zealand swimming, has announced her retirement from competitive swimming, citing ongoing hip issues.
In a Facebook post yesterday morning, Boyle wrote: ‘‘And, that’s a wrap! Today I’m announcing my retirement from competitive swimming. I feel lucky to love the sport after all these years.
‘‘It has been a blast and I’m so grateful for the friends I made, some incredible coaches I worked with and the team-mates and competitors I had to push me along the way.
‘‘It was an honour to represent New Zealand the best way I could. Thanks for the memories!’’
The 29-year-old Auckland native became just the fourth Kiwi swimmer to attend three Olympic Games (2008, 2012 and 2016).
Her best Olympic result was a fourth place in the 800m freestyle final in London 2012, missing out on a medal by 2.40 seconds.
Boyle struggled with hip issues at last year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, missing the final of her favoured 800m freestyle by 0.29 seconds after being the ninthfastest qualifier.
She was third in her heat with a time of 8min 25.84sec - more than 8sec off her personal best.
Boyle competed at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, capturing four medals, including gold in the 400m freestyle at Glasgow 2014.
She won multiple medals at the long course and short course world championships, securing gold in the 800m freestyle at the 2012 short course world championships in Istanbul, and also won three Pan Pacific championship medals.
In 2013, Boyle starred at the world championships in Barcelona, claiming bronze in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle events.