Olympic Mixed Relay Champion Anna Hopkin Retires After Career “Beyond Her Wildest Dreams”
Anna Hopkin has announced her retirement after a decorated career in which she has won Olympic and European titles and paid visits to world and Commonwealth podiums.
The 28-year-old posted to social media on Monday saying “I feel ready to leave the sport knowing I’ve given everything; physically and mentally and I have achieved beyond my wildest dreams!”
Hopkin paid her first visit to the international rostrum at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Gold Coast where she won bronze with Team England in the 4×1 free. A year later, she was part of the Great Britain 4×50 free quartet that won silver at the European Short-Course Championships.
She enjoyed a fine career at the University of Arkansas under the tutelage of head coach Neil Harper and was well-placed to become the first Razorbacks swimmer to win a national championship at the NCAAs in Athens, Georgia, in March 2020.
However, her time in the USA was brought to an abrupt end by the coronavirus pandemic.
She’d had been set to join Mel Marshall’s group at Loughborough once her college days were over but the pandemic instead necessitated a dash back home.
In an interview with Swimming World in April 2020, Marshall described Hopkin as “a starlet,” and “an incredible athlete with a brilliant attitude.”
Hopkin’s Roll-Call
At the Tokyo Olympics, she joined Kathleen Dawson, Adam Peaty and James Guy in the mixed medley relay final where she swam the anchor leg in 52.00 as Great Britain won the inaugural title in a world record of 3:37.58.
Bronze medals in the mixed medley relay at the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka and a year later in Doha.
Bronze in the 50 free at the 2022 World Short-Course Championships in Melbourne behind Emma McKeon and Kasia Wasick.
Five relay titles among eight overall medals across two European Championships at Budapest in 2021 and Rome a year later. Among them was bronze in the 100 free in Hungary where she beat three-time Ranomi Kromowidjojo to the podium by 0.01.
Two relay silvers and a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
A two-time Olympian, Hopkin was seventh in the 50 free as well as being crowned mixed medley relay champion in Tokyo. At Paris 2024, there were seventh places in the 4×1 free relay and mixed medley relay, 10th in the 50 and 11th in the 100 free semis.
She is the owner of the British record in the 100 free (52.75) as well as being a member of the Great Britain mixed relays that hold European standards in the 4×1 free (3:21.68) and 4×1 medley with their 3:37.58 en-route to Tokyo gold.
Hopkin also won eight British titles across the 50 and 100 free.
As Hopkin leaves the international waters, she paid tribute to Marshall – now set to begin a high-performance role in Australia – and Harper. saying she feels “lucky to leave the sport with no regrets, proud of my journey and confident in the person I have become!”
About to set sail on the next part of her life with the UK Sports Institute (UKSI), she posted to social media, saying: “The time feels right to close the chapter on my swimming journey… 🥹
“I’ve taken time to reflect since the Olympics and I feel ready to leave the sport knowing I’ve given everything; physically and mentally and I have achieved beyond my wildest dreams! Olympic Champion, 2x Olympian, British record holder, world, commonwealth and European medalist… I still can’t believe that’s me 🤯 I have had the BEST time, met the most amazing people and travelled the world creating memories for a lifetime! 🫶🏻 feel lucky to leave the sport with no regrets, proud of my journey and confident in the person I have become!
“It’s been an honour to represent my country at all levels of the sport and experience the highs, lows and emotions of being an athlete. It’s not always been easy but it’s always been worth it.
“I can’t thank people enough for the part they have played along the way, particularly @neilharper1 and @melmarshallmassive for being incredible coaches and friends. And of course my family and friends for following me around the world, picking me up when I’m down and celebrating every single moment with me. There is only so far you can go on your own and the support and love I have had around me has been second to none ❤️
“I couldn’t have achieved what I have without financial backing from @uk_sport and @aquatics_gb and huge thanks to @apraceofficial @speedouk and @nutrition.x for their part in supporting my journey 🙌🏻
“Sooo what’s next… I’m excited to continue my performance lifestyle internship with the UKSI as well as finally being able to go skiing again, have a normal social life, try new sports and figure out what’s next in life!”
Marshall was among those paying tribute, saying: “People like you are what I coach for! Amazing human amazing athlete and just a pleasure to come into work for! We have already done our thanks and good see you soons! BUT let me say it on here. Biggest heart in the Game! What ever you do next you will illuminate people with your hard working and diligent approach to things. Go drink wine be with friends and enjoy your weekends!!!! Thank you 🏅🙏”
Guy added: “Memories for life on our relay together!! Congratulations on an amazing career!🐐”
Read more about Anna Hopkin
- Mel Marshall Excited About Working With “Starlet” Anna Hopkin
- Anna Hopkin Hails “Motivational” Mel Marshall
- Ben Proud and Anna Hopkin On Being A Sprinter Out Of Water During Lockdown
- How Moving To The United States Improved Anna Hopkin’s Swimming Career