Laura Stephens<\/strong> has called time on her career in which she was crowned world 200 fly champion in 2024 and visited the European and Commonwealth podiums.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old won the title in Doha last year<\/a>, clocking 2:07.35 ahead of Helena Rosendahl Bach<\/strong> (2:07.44) and Lana Pudar<\/strong> (2:07.92) to become the first British woman to win an individual world title in the long-course pool since Rebecca Adlington<\/strong> edged Lotte Friis<\/strong> in an 800 free thriller at the 2011 edition in Shanghai.<\/p>\n The Briton travelled to Paris in July where she finished eighth in the Olympic final, three years after she finished 10th in the semis in Tokyo.<\/p>\n Stephens also visited the top of the European podium after she swam the fly leg of the British women’s 4×1 medley relay at the European Championships in 2021 where Kathleen Dawson<\/strong> set a continental record of 58.08 on leadoff which stands today. Molly Renshaw<\/strong> (1:05.72), Stephens (57.55) and Anna Hopkin<\/strong> (52.66) won the title in a British and championship record of 3:54.01 ahead of Russia and Italy. Following Stephens’ announcement, Dawson is the only woman in the quartet still competing today.<\/p>\n Stephens won 200 fly silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games behind Australia’s Elizabeth Dekkers<\/strong> and ahead of Brianna Throssell<\/strong> while swimming the fly leg as England claimed bronze in the women’s medley relay.<\/p>\n Stephens posted a statement to social media, saying: “Swimming. It\u2019s time for me to step away from this wonderful sport that has taken me on the journey of a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who managed to hang on to this crazy rollercoaster with me, at the start, middle and end your support has meant more than I can put into words.<\/p>\n “Thank you to my family for your patience and love, and to my friends and teammates for your limitless belief and support \u2764\ufe0f Endless thanks to my sponsor @arenawaterinstinctuk<\/a>\u00a0and all the staff\u00a0@aquatics_gb<\/a>\u00a0the team always in my corner. My coaches Katie (Harwich SC) Michelle (Colchester SC) Robin\u00a0@plymouthleander<\/a>\u00a0and Dave\u00a0@loughborough_pc<\/a>\u00a0your lessons in perseverance, resilience and commitment have shaped the person I am today, thank you. And to my 9 year old self who couldn\u2019t swim breaststroke to save her life\u2026
\nWell, we still can\u2019t xx”<\/p>\n