Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Jack McLoughlin Officially Announces His Retirement from The Pool
Australia’s Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jack McLoughlin has this week officially retired from swimming and he’s done so with a special message to any aspiring Olympians – especially those with their sights set on Brisbane 2032 – a Games that will come to Jack’s home town.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: Jack McLoughlin signs off. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
McLoughlin, 27 was a working class hero – a tradesman who worked harder than most for every metre he swam.
He retires as an Olympic silver medallist in the 400m freestyle in 2021 – at a Games that were postponed and then staged in a Covid world like no other and a Commonwealth Games and Pan Pac gold medallist in 2018.
“It was more than I could ever dreamed of,” said McLoughlin.
“And to all the kids reading this, your mind is your number one tool, it can do anything if you want it bad enough, If I could do it.. so can you.”
And from a dedicated dual Olympian who retires from the sport her loved with a heartfelt message for the next generation.
“Swimming has been my life for the past 15-20 years and the friends and relationships I have made along the way is something I know I will cherish for the rest of my life and has been the most amazing experience one could ever have,” wrote McLoughlin on his Face book page.
Jack was awarded his Dolphin number 767 when he qualified for his first senior team, the 2016 Rio Olympics with the fourth fastest time ever swum by an Australian in the 1500 freestyle, going on to finish 9th in Rio.
COM GAMES GOLD: Jack McLoughlin with Gold Coast gold in 2018. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
In 2017 at the FINA World Championships, he competed in the 800 and 1500 metres freestyle.
At the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, he won gold and silver in the 400m and 1500 freestyle respectively, and at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo, Jack won gold in the 400 freestyle, and bronze medals in both the 800 and 1500 metres freestyle.
In 2019 at the FINA World Championships in Gwangju he competed in the 400, 800 and 1500 metres freestyle and won gold with the 4×200 freestyle relay.
In 2021 after qualifying for his second Olympic Games, Jack won that silver medal in the 400 metres freestyle – beaten on the last stroke on the first day of competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Jack has now switched his focus to his engineering career and is enjoying this new path.
“This past year I have been silently working on myself and looking towards the future,” reflected McLoiughlin.
“After Tokyo I decided to take a year away from the pool to focus on my studies to finish my thesis project and last couple of units in my Structural Civil Engineering degree.
“During this time, I dipped my toes into the world of corporate and engineering life.
“With that, came so many opportunities and I am thrilled to be working as a structural design engineer now.
OFF THE BLOCKS: Jack McLoughlin left no stone unturned. Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr/Swimming Australia
“At the end of my swimming career, I wanted to look back and say to myself you couldn’t have done anything more.
“Looking back now, I can say, hand on my heart, I don’t think I could have.
“From training by myself to get to the next level or simply getting to a point where my body physically stopped working whilst I fought my coach saying I could keep going.
“I don’t think I could do anything more and that’s what I needed for myself.
“All I ever wanted to do was train hard and race hard and be proud of the person I was with the people directly around me.
“I think I can go out knowing I left an impression on most people I got the chance to train with and race against and who knew me well.
“There are too many people to thank but to my beautiful Fiancé’ Emily, my parents, family and friends who have supported me all the way, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“To all the coaches, support staff, physios, masseuses that I have had the pleasure of working with, again thank you.
“Especially Vince Raleigh my most recent coach who took me in and believed that I could do it and never stopped pushing me to get my dream…..thank you.”
Signing off #767
Congrats on a great career Jack….thanks for the memories.
PARTING MESSAGE FROM JACK MCLOUGHLIN: “Your mind is your number one tool, it can do anything if you want it bad enough, If I could do it.. so can you,” Jack McLoughlin – Dolphins # 767. Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant