Germany’s Steffen Deibler, the current world record-holder in the short course men’s 50 fly, has announced his retirement. Deibler posted the news in a Facebook post Friday.
“After many years in the sport of performance with all its facets, I have come to the decision to start a new life section. Since I was a little boy, I put all my energy and time into the sport, learned a lot, to train with great people, to compete and work, to experience a lot and to see a lot of our world,” he wrote.
Deibler, who set his world record in November 2009 and then won four gold medals at the European Short Course Championships a year later, also expressed immense gratitude.
“I am very grateful to everyone who has accompanied and supported me on my journey from the Teaching Swimming Pool in Biberach to the Olympic waters – on the basin, in the power room, on the massage bench, in the doctor’s room, lecture hall or financially, many people have helped me a lot I would never have gone so far! Here, I would like to call my trainer Petra Wolfram. A special thanks to my parents, who gave me the necessary support and freedom to pursue this sport.”
Most of the best moments of Deibler’s career came in the short course pool, but he did compete in three Olympic Games, in 2008, 2012 and 2016. His best finish came in 2012, when he finished fourth in the 100 fly final. Younger brother Markus Deibler also competed at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, making the final of the 200 IM in 2012.
Read Deibler’s full Facebook post (in German) here. Quotes above translated via Google Translate.
Nooooooooooooooo
Sad Joe Stott
Meems Hoover