Tyler Clary<\/strong>, who won gold in the men’s 200 backstroke in London, will not get the chance to defend his title in Rio. He finished third in 1:55.33.<\/p>\n

Clary officially announced his retirement from professional swimming after his race.<\/p>\n

“It’s been a great time as a professional swimmer,” he said to the media. “I’m looking forward to turning a page in the book of my life \u00a0and starting a new chapter.”<\/p>\n

Clary swam collegiately at the University of Michigan where he was a three-time NCAA champion. In 2009, he was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year.<\/p>\n

He broke onto the international stage\u00a0in 2009 at Worlds when he finished second in the 400 IM to\u00a0Ryan Lochte.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clary represented Team USA in the 200 fly and the 200 back in London. He finished fifth overall in the 200 fly, and won his first Olympic gold in the 200 back 1:53.41, setting a new Olympic record.<\/p>\n

“That’s the best time I’ve had in quite awhile,” he said after tonight’s race. “I felt like I could walk away with my head held high after something like that, and I feel like I’ve accomplished that here.”<\/p>\n

He told the media that his first priority is to go see his family and thank them for sharing the journey and this experience with him.<\/p>\n