British Sprinter Amy Smith Announces Retirement

LOUGHBOROUGH, England, October 7. Commonwealth silver medallist Amy Smith has announced her retirement from swimming after at every level of international competition for almost ten years.

Smith qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games and competed in front of the home crowd in two individual and one relay events and this is what she classes as the highlight of her career.

She moved to Loughborough University in 2005 and was coached by Ian Armiger through to the Olympic Games and then she moved into the National Sprint Group to be coached by James Gibson.

The sprint specialist concluded her career at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and won silver in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay in her third consecutive Games.

“I’ve had some fantastic experiences as a result of being involved with swimming, and I have got some great memories from it, but I feel excited to move onto new things now, and for me, that was a good sign that it was time to move on,” Smith said.

“The highlight of my career would definitely be to have competed in a final at the Olympic Games. I have been so lucky that it happened to be a home Olympic Games too, which made it all the more special. It has always been something I had aimed for, so to achieve it was a proud moment.”

Smith made her international debut at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and has thrived being within the international team environment.

“I will miss being part of international competitions, and being part of a great team” commented Smith. “I’ve made some great friends during my time in both the British team and the Loughborough team, so I will miss getting to see everyone quite so often.

“There are so many people that have influenced my career, and that I would like to say a big thank you to. Obviously without my parents, my swimming career would never have started, so I owe so much to them. They have supported me more than I ever could have hoped for throughout my career, and in so many ways, so I hope I have done them proud.

“The rest of my family and all of my friends have always been there to support me, even if it’s just showing a little interest in how swimming was going, it has always been appreciated and it’s great to know they are there.

“I also couldn’t have got to where I wanted to be without the coaches I have had. From back at Wyre Forest Swimming Club, to the last nine years that I have been at Loughborough, and qualifying for the Olympics under Ian Armiger, I have been extremely lucky to have had all of them push me, but also be so supportive.

“My next steps are still a little blurred at the moment, but I would love to stay involved with sport in one way or another. I am taking a sports massage therapy course which will hopefully lead into studying physiotherapy in the future. I am excited about starting new things and being on the opposite side of the athletes now.”

British Swimming Head Coach Bill Furniss said: “Amy has been a staple of the British team for a number of years now and she has been a dedicated and hard working athlete throughout her career.

“On behalf of everyone involved with the team I wish Amy well for the future and luck in her next steps.”

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com.

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