North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Three-time Olympic swimmer retires
Kiwi Olympic swimmer Glenn Snyders has retired.
The 29-year-old from the North Shore club, who is one of only four New Zealand swimmers to compete at three Olympic Games, has quit the sport and revealed he’s unsure what to do next.
Snyders is based in Los Angeles, where he’s been training with renowned American coach Dave Salo since 2012, after swimming at the London Olympics.
At this year’s Games in Rio, Snyders couldn’t make the finals in either the 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
He holds national records all the men’s breaststroke events, and his finest hour on the international stage was at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, when he won silver in the 50m breaststroke. He won bronze at the Pan Pacific Championship in 2014.
Snyders, who was born in Klerksdorp in South Africa, joined Dean Kent, Helen Norfolk and Lauren Boyle as the only New Zealand swimmers to compete in three Olympics by racing in Rio.
In his Olympics debut at Beijing, he was part of the 4x100m medley that finished fifth.
‘‘Representing New Zealand in swimming has been an honour and a privilege,’’ said Snyders.
‘‘To have been able to compete at the highest level in my sport for 12 consecutive years has been nothing but an adventure and lifelearning experience, one that I will take with me on my new journey leading forward.
‘‘Retiring from swimming is just a step forward in my life. It wasn’t the easiest of decisions to walk away from the sport I love but I knew it is the right time and decision, one that I am content with.
‘‘I look forward to the next chapter in my life, which has already begun by getting married and settling down in Los Angeles with my wife Jenna.
‘‘Thanks go to Swimming New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ for their support during my career. Without them I would not have been able to compete at three Olympic Games and do what I love.’’
Swimming New Zealand thanked Snyders for his professional attitude and the dedication he’s shown throughout his career.
‘‘He has not only acted in a thoroughly professional and dedicated manner in the pool, but he has been a leader out of the pool,’’ Swimming New Zealand Chairman, Bruce Cotterill says.