11-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist Sophie Pascoe Retires
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11-Time Paralympic Gold Medalist Sophie Pascoe Retires
Sophie Pascoe, an 11-time gold medalist at the Paralympics, announced her retirement from competitive swimming on Thursday.
The native of Christchurch, New Zealand, turned 32 in January. She competed at four Paralympic Games, from 2008 to the Tokyo Games in 2021, though she didn’t compete at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 after giving birth to her first child in the spring. Pascoe instead worked in commentary for the Games on TVNZ.
The most decorated Paralympic athlete in New Zealand history made the announcement on social media.
“Representing New Zealand in the pool has been the greatest honour of my life,” Pascoe said in an Olympics NZ press release. “Every medal, national record, world record and milestone has been a reflection not just of my efforts, but of the collective dedication of my coaches, teammates, family, friends, supporters and the Swimming New Zealand family.
“As I step away from the pool, I carry with me countless memories of triumph and challenge, lessons learned, and friendships forged. While my competitive career may have come to an end, I remain passionate about giving back to the sport that shaped me. I hope to continue inspiring future generations of swimmers and foster an inclusive environment where every athlete feels empowered to achieve their dreams.”
Swimming in the S10, SB9 and SM10 categories, Pascoe won 11 gold and 19 total Paralympic medals. That began was golds in the S10 100 backstroke, SB9 100 breaststroke and SM10 200 individual medley in Beijing in 2008. She would win the 200 IM title in 2012 and 2016, then take the SM9 edition of the race in Tokyo for a four-peat. She added 100 freestyle titles in S10 in 2012 and S9 in 2021.
Pascoe is a 12-time long-course World Champion and four-time world champ in short-course. She has 27 career World Championships medals, 20 of them in long-course. She also won five Commonwealth Games gold medals across three competitions from 2014-22.
Pascoe retires in possession of six long-course world records – S9 100 back, S9 and S10 50 fly, S9 and S10 100 fly and the SM9 200 IM. She owns nine short-course world marks, in all four strokes plus the 100 and 200 IM.
Pascoe underwent an amputation below the knee after a lawnmower accident at age two. She began swimming five years later, her talent attracting notice of QEII Swim Club, where she swam for coach Roly Crichton. She competed at her first World Championships at age 13 and was just 15 when she debuted in Beijing in 2008.
Pascoe was named Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit as part of the 2022 New Years Honours. She is a seven-time Halberg Award recipient, recognizing New Zealand’s top sporting figures.
“We have been privileged to have worked with Dame Sophie for around two decades,” Swimming NZ CEO Steve Johns said. “She has been a leader in and out of the water and an inspiration to athletes, young women, anyone with a disability, and to New Zealanders all around the country.
“Her sustained excellence along with her drive and determination have been second to none and she is a true sporting great. Dame Sophie, your legacy and place in New Zealand’s sporting history is well and truly entrenched. Congratulations on an amazing career and thanks for your incredible contribution to New Zealand sport. We wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
“Dame Sophie Pascoe calls time on her incomparable career as a true icon who transcended the sport like few others,” Paralympics New Zealand CEO Greg Warnecke said. “She is a household name thanks to her stunning achievements spanning four Paralympic Games and also made a significant impact by changing the narrative around disability in Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Dame Sophie inspired so many Kiwis, particularly those with a disability to ‘dream big and aim high’. On behalf of everyone at Paralympics New Zealand, congratulations and thank you. We couldn’t be prouder of Paralympian #166.”