Three-time British 50 fly champion Charlotte Atkinson has announced her retirement from the pool and will now train for a career as a physician associate in London.
The butterfly specialist represented Great Britain at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, after claiming the national title over 50 and 200m as well as silver in the 100.
Atkinson won the 50 fly at last year’s British Championships in Glasgow as well as finishing second in the 100 and fourth over 200.
The 23-year-old was the first swimmer from the Isle of Man, situated in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland, to win a British title and the first in almost half a century to reach an individual Commonwealth Games final when she competed in the 200 fly on Gold Coast in 2018.
Atkinson came fourth that day as Alys Thomas, of Wales, won gold and later that year she won gold with the British 4×100 mixed medley relay after swimming the heats at the European Championships in Glasgow, Scotland.
In a post on social media, Atkinson said:
“After much thought and reflection I have decided to retire from competitive swimming. Swimming has been the biggest part of my life for the past 10 years but it is time to listen to my heart and move on. I am obviously disappointed I didn’t get to have my shot at the Olympic Games, but I am so proud of everything else I have achieved.
“I am so grateful my career allowed me to travel the world and meet so many amazing people along the way. To represent both Great Britain and the Isle of Man on a world stage is something I will never forget. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without my family, friends, coaches, staff and sponsors in Loughborough, Plymouth and on the Isle of Man. Thank you for all the memories ♥️
“I can’t wait to start my next chapter training to be a Physician Associate at St George’s Medical School in London?”
Advertising: Shop At Swim360
Who?