Olympic Gold Medalist Darian Townsend Announces Retirement

Jul 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Darian Townsend of the United States competes in the men's 100m freestyle swimming preliminaries during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Images

Darian Townsend, an Olympic gold medalist in 2004 as part of South Africa’s 400 free relay, has announced that he will be moving on from competitive swimming.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement today from professional swimming,” Townsend said to Swimming World. “From the age of 16 when I was watching my club mates from Seals Swimming Club in South Africa compete at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, I have been focused on becoming the best swimmer I could be. Looking back on my career, I have no regrets.”

After 2004, Townsend went on to swim collegiately for the University of Florida and later the University of Arizona, and he competed in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games for South Africa. His highest individual finish at an Olympics was 11th in the 200 IM in Beijing.

After London, he left South Africa and became an American citizen, competing for the U.S. at the 2014 Short Course World Championships and 2015 Pan American Games. At his first American Olympic Trials in 2016, he finished 38th in both the 100 and 200 free.

As for his next career moves, Townsend continues to live in Goodyear, Ariz., and he is ascending to Head Coach of the Westside Silver Fins swim team and Senior Aquatics Director at the Southwest Valley Family YMCA.

Townsend continues to compete as a Masters swimmer, and he actually set five Masters World Records in the 30-34 age group in the two months following Olympic Trials.

“I am going to miss competing as a professional,” he said. “I learned so much about myself through putting myself out there and competing and training against the world’s best. Swimming has shaped me into the man I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.”

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Kelley Krueger

7 years ago

Allison swam with him at the YMCA!!

Hetty Oliver

7 years ago

All the best Darian, you can be very proud of all your achievements.