Scotcher Calls it a Career

LONDON, May 23. ENGLAND’S Commonwealth Games gold medalist Alex Scotcher has called time on his career in swimming. The 26-year-old, based at Loughborough University, was part of England's victorious 800 freestyle relay team at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Scotcher's decision to retire comes two years after the disappointment of not making the Athens Olympic Games, but from this setback he took the drive and determination to make it to the Commonwealth Games.

"Not making the team for the Athens Olympics was heartbreaking,” Scotcher said. “After that I had to sit down to decide where my future was in the sport. I wanted to bounce back and the months following the Olympics were all about making the squad for the Commonwealths and wanting to leave the sport on a high.”

England's relay triumph in Melbourne is the pinnacle of Scotcher's career. In 2003, he was a member of the World Championship squad and has been a holder of two British relay records. A member of the British squad for the past six years, Scotcher decided that new challenges now await him.

"I'm really excited about the future. I have finished my Masters in European Politics and I graduate in July. I may stay working in the sport with Steve Parry through Total Swimming, which is a great initiative," said Scotcher. "Swimming has given me some fantastic opportunities and I can retire knowing that I have given my all to a sport which has given me so much in return. There are some fantastic swimmers coming through the ranks and I wish them every luck in the future."

Scotcher spent most of his swimming career under the guidance of Loughborough coaches Ian Turner and Ian Armiger. After six years of competing against the best in the world, Scotcher is certainly going to miss the sport but he will take elements to apply to his career.

"Swimming is a sport which gives you immense focus and determination to succeed and hopefully I'll be able to direct that into my future job, whatever that may be,” he said. "I have made some really good friends through the sport and I will miss the Loughborough squad but the time is right for me to start a new chapter in my life.”

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