Swiss Olympian Dominik Meichtry Retires

Photo by Patrick B. Krämer / magicpbk.com

LOS ANGELES – Swiss Olympian Dominik Meichtry officially retired from swimming today, even though it’s not the most surprising news to break recently.

Meichtry, who has settled into married life quite well with U.S. Olympic gold medalist Jessica Hardy, made his retirement official via a statement on Swiss Swimming’s website.

“It is time for me to announce my retirement from swimming,” Meichtry said in a statement. “I have been a member of the Swiss National Team for 12 years, a career I never could have imagined. Thanks to swimming, I have been able to travel the world doing what I love. I made many new friendships that I will keep for the rest of my life. I want to remain connected to the sport after my retirement. I want to promote the sport of swimming.”

Meichtry swam in three Olympics and won more than 30 Swiss national titles, and is the current Swiss record holder in the 100 (long course), 200 (short course, long course) and 400 (short course, long course) freestyles.

After moving to the U.S. to train at the University of California-Berkeley, he moved on to train as part of The Race Club. Then, in 2009, he moved to Los Angeles to train with Dave Salo at the Trojan Swim Club alongside his future wife.

Since news first broke this morning, Meichtry has released a full statement:

Dear friends,

It is with a full heart that I announce my departure as a competitive athlete in the pool. I am forever grateful for being able to represent Switzerland on the international stage for the past 12 years, of which I was voted captain from my peers for the last 5. I have made more experiences, opportunities, and accomplishments than I ever could have dreamed of before beginning my journey as a young swimmer. I was able to travel the world doing what I loved and made friendships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

I still can’t believe that I was fortunate enough to be offered a swimming scholarship to UC Berkeley. I am equally proud to say that I was able to compete with the fastest swimmers in history; that I was in an Olympic Final; that I won over 30 Swiss national titles.

None of this would have been made possible without support along the way. A special testament goes out to my family, for helping nurture my dreams from the very beginning. A big thank you to my coaches along my journey: Harry Wright (HK), Peter Williams (RSA), Mike Bottom, Nort Thornton, Bart Kizierowski, David Durden, Greg Meehan, Dave Salo and of course my Swiss coaches Gerard Moerland and Flemming Poulsen. Thank you to SchwimmClub Uster Wallisellen, Swiss Swimming, Swiss Olympic and of course Speedo for making what I did possible.

Swimming isn’t seen as a national sport yet in Switzerland, but I hope through my achievements in the pool that I was able to convince some of today’s young swimmers to give swimming a chance. Swimming has taught me life lessons that I will take with me on my next adventures. Hard work, dedication, and sacrifice truly will make dreams come true.

Although I am stepping away from the sport as an athlete, it is my goal to stay connected to our wonderful community, promoting these ideals. I plan on continuing to support swimming as an advisor to the sport. In connection with the International Meeting in Uster, Switzerland (www.imu.ch), I will be hosting a clinic. Details are to follow.

So, although my days as an athlete are now behind me, I will still see everyone on a pool deck sometime soon.

Thanks again for being a part of my dream.

Dominik

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