'Swimming has taught me so much': Olympic gold medallist Brianna Throssell announces retirement
Updated . First published at
Australian Olympic swimmer Brianna Throssell has announced her retirement from professional swimming
A relay stalwart of the Australian swim team for the past decade, Throssell last year helped the nation's women's 4x200m freestyle team win gold and set a new Olympic record of 7:30.07 at Paris 2024
Following her golden swim in Paris, Throssell revealed she would not be completing another Olympic cycle to take her to Los Angeles 2028.
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Ariarne Titmus and Brianna Throssell celebrate after winning gold in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay final at Paris 2024. Getty
But since reducing her responsibilities, the 29-year-old wanted to establish her life outside of the pool.
Her career included 39 international medals, counting four Olympic medals.
A relay specialist, all of Throssell's Olympic medals and 18 of her World Championships medals are from relay events.
Throssell considered preparing for another World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in July and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2026, but after a whirlwind few months of personal news, the West Australian chose to look beyond the pool.
Joining Deloitte's Mergers and Acquisitions team in Melbourne, Throssell was excited to finally put her business degree to "good use".
"I just knew it was time," she said in a Swimming Australia statement.
Brianna Throssell, Mollie O'Callaghan and Lani Pallister watch on during the women's 4x200m fresstyle relay final.. Getty
"I'll forever cherish the memories, friendships, and experiences … it's been an incredible journey, but now I am ready for a new chapter.
"The lessons I've learned—about perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence—will remain with me as I move forward, but I am ready, and it was so, so wonderful to finish the way I did," she said.
Combining with Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister and Ariarne Titmus to win the second gold medal of her career and Australia's fifth pool gold medal of the Paris Games, Throssell capped her Dolphins career in sparkling fashion.
"I couldn't have asked for a better career finale. I still love the sport and really want to inspire the next generation because, truly, swimming has taught me so much. I have so many people to thank … but to my parents and Dean (Boxall), to Josh (Milner) and all the Dolphins … thank you. I just feel so grateful."
Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor praised Throssell's contributions to the Australian swim team.
"Brianna has just contributed so much to this Dolphins swim team," he said.
Gold medallists in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay final Mollie O'Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Ariarne Titmus. Luke Hales/Getty
"She is a swimmer that just kept pushing and really found a way to get better.
"Bri will probably say her gold in Paris was a highlight. But for me, her individual medal (at the 2024 World Championships) in Doha was something special. It was a just reward for a true professional.
"She moved from Western Australia to the Sunshine Coast and then to Dean (Boxall) at St Peters, and she just worked so hard.
"Her PB for the 100m and 200m free came at the Paris Olympic Trials, and that was at the age of 28. It just showed her professionalism and work ethic.
"Other athletes have commented that just seeing her in a marshalling room for relays just gave them so much confidence.
"I would like to congratulate Brianna on a fabulous career and wish her all the best from all of us at Swimming Australia."