In a surprising twist on the Australian swimming front, the 22-year-old Chelsea Hodges announced his retirement from competitive swimming just 60 days before the 2024 Olympic Games.
The breaststroker, who helped Australia win gold in the 4x100m medley relay at the 2020 Tokyo Games, revealed her decision on Instagram on May 24.
Thanks swimming. It is with great regret that I announce my retirement from competitive swimming.
It has been a challenging 18 months and retiring now is not how I hoped this chapter of my life would end, however I believe I made the right decision.
Swimming has given me so much in my life and I couldn’t be more grateful for the people, experiences and memories I’ve had through this sport.
Hodges continued:
I had to make the decision to retire or ruin my chance of being as fit and healthy as I would like in my future. Ultimately, I need to do what’s best for my future and listen to what my body is desperately trying to tell me.
I am lucky to have the best support team ever to help me make this decision, as well as the best support network of my family and friends.
I wouldn’t have had the career I’m so proud of without my coach of 15 years @beswimcoaching @southportolympicswimclub, my family and the person who puts up with me the most @nicroselt I couldn’t express more gratitude to @finisaustralia @finisswim and @lskd for the support they have given me throughout this journey and how they continue to support my life journey.
Hodges missed the 2023 championships season, withdrawing from the Australian Championships, Australian Trials and World Championships in Fukuoka after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in her right hip.
It’s a disappointing turnaround after a promising 2022, a year in which Hodges broke the Australian record in the 50m breaststroke at the Australian Trials with 30.15, before lowering the mark to 30.05 at the Commonwealth Games, where she took bronze.
He then helped the Australian 4×50 medley relay team break the world record (1:43.35) at the World Short Course Championships in Melbourne.
Hodges made her debut following surgery in October last year at the National Swimming Championships, where the Southport Olympic Swim Club swimmer set a time of 31.45 in the 50m. breaststroke and 1:08.80 in the 100 meter breaststroke.
Last month she was entered for the Australian Open Championships but did not participate in the competition, a sign that something was not going to plan.
According to Sydney Morning HeraldHodges said of her withdrawal from the race:
I went home and cried for many hours. I think I realized my swimming was over.
Being in pain all the time is very tiring. You are mentally and physically drained. I just wanted the pain to stop. It’s like someone crushes your bones every time you move and puts a hole in your leg.
When it started to hurt again, I think I knew that Paris wasn’t going to be a success. I’m not thrilled about having to retire… but once I figured out what my life would be like if I continued, it was an easy decision.
The situation arose again at last year’s Japan Open, where Hodges reportedly limped to the blocks.
In December, my surgeon told me I only had a few breaststroke strokes left. I had damaged my femur. We had to make sure my frog lasted until Paris. Unfortunately I used up all the kicks available. (SMH)
Also Hodges’ Dolphins teammate, Jenna Strauch, suffered an injury last year that created a big hole in the breaststroke discipline for the nation.
The fifteen year old Sienna Toohey has made great strides and so has the name of Kaylee McKeown was made as a substitute in breaststroke. The pillar Abbey Harkin it’s still part of the Australian arsenal: we’ll see how the situation evolves at the Olympic Trials next month.
