LONDON – Commonwealth champion Adam Brown has announced his retirement from swimming after calling time on a competitive career that also included two Olympic Games and three World Championships.
The Cambridge-born sprinter, who was part of the quartet that swam to gold in 4×100 Medley Relay in Glasgow this summer, will complete his degree in the U.S. next year before working towards a career in coaching.
“This decision has been extremely tough to make but I feel it is the right time for me to call it a day,” said Brown. “It has been an amazing journey and one that I will forever be proud of. Finishing it off with Commonwealth gold is a great way to end.
“Throughout my swimming career I have learned so much in and out of the pool. I have gained so many friends and made some awesome memories along the way that I’ll never forget. I am super excited for the next chapter of my life when I’ll get to spend more time with my family.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to my parents for their sacrifice, dedication, love and support over the years. I want to also thank the coaches I’ve had the privilege of working with, my British and club team mates over the years and a special thank you my wife Mary for sacrificing so much.”
Commenting on the retirement, British Head Coach Bill Furniss said: “Adam has been a great servant for British Swimming. He has had a long and productive career and has always given 100%.
“Adam is a classic example of an athlete who gave and received a lot from the sport. We wish Adam and his new family all the best in the future.”
After winning European Junior medals in 2006 and 2007, Brown (25) won his place on the 2008 Beijing Olympic team where he competed in the 4x100m Freestyle relay.
He backed it up with 50m and 100m Freestyle gold at the 2009 British Champs and his first World Championship appearance the same season in Rome.
Brown helped England win 4x100m Freestyle silver on his Commonwealth debut in 2010 and competed in the 50m and 100m Free as well as the 4x100m Free and 4x100m Medley Relays at the 2011 Worlds
As well as competing in the individual 50m and 100m Freestyle at London 2012, he swam the anchor leg of the 4x100m Medley Relay quartet as they finished fourth on the final day in London.
After grabbing the British 50m Freestyle record in 2013, Brown secured his best individual World Championship result, finishing ninth in the 100m Freestyle in Barcelona.
There was more success for Brown in 2014 as 50m and 100m Freestyle gold at the British Championships was followed by 4x100m Medley Relay gold and 4x100m Freestyle Relay bronze for England at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
As a senior swimmer at Auburn University in Alabama, Adam developed a reputation as one of the fastest sprinters in the NCAA. He was 2nd at the 2011 NCAA Championships in the 50 Free to become the fifth fastest performer of all time in a yards course pool.
The above article was originally posted on the British Swimming website.