One of Australia’s most successful backstrokers is leaving the competition pool, as Meagan Nay announced her retirement from competitive swimming.
Her post on Instagram read as follows:
So here goes;
Today I’m officially announcing my retirement from competitive swimming. I’m not sure how to even say thank you to everyone who has been there through out my career. I fell in love with the sport at 12 and I was lucky enough it took me to Olympics, World championships and Commonwealth Games. Travelled the world and created some amazing friendships with people I’m truly thankful for. Huge thanks to my team mates, earlier coaches and competitors. You pushed me to my limits and beyond. To Bohly my coach, you have helped me more than you know, through the darkest days and to my greatest achievements in swimming. Thank you. To my family who have travelled everywhere to cheer me on and been there when I needed them the most. The greatest gift you gave me Mum was the unwavering belief in me, I can’t thank you enough for it. We have been through some hard times in life, and life is life fight for it.
I’m beyond blessed. Once again Thank you and I look forward to this next chapter of my life.
MN xxx
Nay, now 26, was a diverse swimmer, winning international medals in backstroke as well as freestyle. Her lone world championship medal came in the 400 free relay for Australia at the 2009 meet, picking up a bronze medal.
Nay might have collected more medals, particularly in the 200 backstroke, but she returned home after her brother was killed in a car accident. Her father, Robbie, was also killed in a car crash in 1992.
Nay was back on the international scene in 2010, taking the Commonwealth Games title in the 200 backstroke.
She made two Olympic Games appearances, finishing seventh in the 200 back in 2008 and fifth in 2012.