Fantine Lesaffre<\/strong>, the European 400IM champion in 2018, has announced her retirement with a home Olympics nine months away in Paris.<\/p>\n The Frenchwoman competed in two Olympics – at Rio in 2016 and five years later in Tokyo – with 13th in the long medley at the latter her best result.<\/p>\n Lesaffre made her first international senior podium at the 2017 European Short-Course Championships<\/strong> in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she took bronze in the 400IM.<\/p>\n She then claimed the continental title the following year ahead of Ilaria Cusinato<\/strong> and Hannah Miley<\/strong> five years in Glasgow before going on to take bronze at the short-course worlds in Hangzhou, China, in December that year.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old will now hang up her goggles following the French Short-Course Championships<\/strong> being held from 26-29 October in Angers.<\/p>\n She posted to Instagram:<\/p>\n “At the end of these championships, I announce to you that my life as a high-level swimmer and athlete is coming to an end \ud83c\udfca\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f\ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7<\/p>\n “This decision may seem strange, thoughtless or selfish in this Olympic year but on the contrary believe me \ud83e\udd70 “I feel brave today. I’m glad I made this decision before it was too late. Few athletes have the chance to decide when to stop. And I do it according to my choices, my desires. No failure, no crying or anxiety attacks but with a smile on your face! This smile that characterizes me so much \ud83d\ude04 “I went through many phases and many clubs during these years as a swimmer. Roubaix Natation then Mulhouse then Rennes then Marseille then Antibes then NCState and finally Toulouse. I am rich in stories and encounters and I will remember absolutely all the good and bad moments of this sport. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all these adventures \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc<\/p>\n “I have a lot of people to thank, a career is not built alone, my family, my man, my friends, my coaches, my training partners, my sponsors, the gendarmerie, my agent and all those who have supported me. followed and supported throughout this time. But I will do all that in due time \u263a\ufe0f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc<\/p>\n “I end by wishing you all good luck, be strong and shine as much as possible \ud83c\udf1f”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nSwimming demands a lot! Time, sacrifices, efforts… An Olympic year requires 10 times more. You have to be ready to be above the rest, to do more than the girls next door, more time, more effort, more sacrifices. These last few weeks have made me realize that this is no longer what I want. I am at peace with my career and the results I have had during it. I am proud of what I have experienced and accomplished<\/p>\n
\nI now have ideas, projects in my head, a future and horizons just waiting to be explored.
\nA well-filled book closes but a blank one opens. I can’t wait to rediscover myself. I can’t wait to conquer the rest of the world before me \ud83c\udf0f
\n(Stay tuned because wonderful things are going to happen \ud83d\ude1c)<\/p>\n