Two-Time Commonwealth Champion Hannah Miley Retires After Achieving “Everything I Possibly Could”

PICTURE BY ALEX WHITEHEAD/SWPIX.COM - Swimming - British Gas International Meet Day 2 - John Charles Centre for Sport, Leeds, England - 08/03/13 - Hannah Miley prepares to compete in the Womens 400m IM final.

Hannah Miley: Photo Courtesy: Gian Mattia Dalberto/Lapresse

Hannah Miley has announced her retirement following a career that saw her serve Britain at the very top for over a decade and encompassed five Olympic finals.

The Scot also claimed two consecutive titles in 2010 and 2014 in the 400IM in which she claimed a European medal of each colour including gold at Budapest 2010 and world silver in 2011.

An Olympic medal just eluded her with fourth place at Rio 2016 the closest she came as Miley finished just 0.15 off the podium as Mireia Belmonte came post in the final few metres.

However, injury dogged Miley on many occasions and her competitive appearances became increasingly rare towards the latter part of her career.

She didn’t make the team for Tokyo 2020 where Aimee Willmott was seventh in the 400IM with both women having now retired from the pool at the end of fine careers.

The 32-year-old made the announcement on social media on Wednesday morning, saying:

“While this is difficult to write, I’ve made the big decision to announce my retirement from swimming – competitively at least.

“It’s a sport that I will always love and whilst I will be hanging up my racing suit, my goggles will remain in my hand.”

Miley added:

“Reflecting on my career, I look back with pride and a smile as I feel like I’ve achieved everything I possibly could over the last 17 years of racing.”

She also paid tribute to her father and coach Patrick, saying:

“His ingenious ability to think outside the box and groundbreaking analysis has taken my family aka Team Miley on the most incredible journey.”

British Swimming National Performance Director Chris Spice said:

“Hannah has been a fantastic, long-serving ambassador for British Swimming, with World and European medals to her name, as well as appearances in finals at three successive Olympic Games.

“On top of that, she was a fantastic leader and a role model for younger athletes too.

“We wish her all the best for the future and whatever she goes on to do next.”

There are never enough characters on Twitter to write everything I want to say but just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey ? @PatMileyH2O @britishswimming @ScottishSwim @teamgb @uk_sport @GASCInverurie @UOAPS
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KaK2DOn6wm

— Hannah Miley (@HannahMiley89) December 1, 2021

ROLL-CALL

Olympics

Fourth, 400IM: Rio 2016

Fifth, 400IM: London 2012

Fifth, 4×200 free: London 2012

Seventh, 200IM: London 2012

Sixth, 400IM: Beijing 2008

World Championships

Silver, 400IM: Shanghai 2011

Bronze, 4×200 free relay: Rome 2009

Commonwealth Games

Silver, 400IM: Gold Coast 2018

Gold, 400IM: Glasgow 2014

Bronze, 200IM: Glasgow 2014

Gold, 400IM: Delhi 2010

European Championships

Bronze, 400IM: Glasgow 2018

Silver, 400IM: London 2016

Bronze, 200IM: London 2016

Gold, 400IM: Budapest 2010

Bronze, 200IM: Budapest 2010

Bronze, 4×2 Relay: Budapest 2010

There were also five world short-course medals, including 400IM gold in 2012, and two titles in an eight-strong haul at European short course.

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