Rio 2016 Champion Pernille Blume Announces Retirement After Achieving Her “Wildest Dreams”
Pernille Blume has announced she is retiring after a career in which the Danish swimmer reached the Olympic pinnacle in the 50 free at Rio 2016.
The 28-year-old leaves the pool with three Olympic and five European medals and a world bronze in the long-course pool.
Blume also won five world short-course medals – including three golds – and 13 at Europeans, the first coming back in 2011 when she was 17.
Her final trip to the international podium was in Tokyo in 2021 when she finished third in the 50 free behind Emma McKeon and Sarah Sjostrom.
Five years earlier, Blume won the sprint title in Rio ahead of Simone Manuel and Aliaksandra Herisamenia in a then Danish record of 24.07 with 0.04secs separating the top three.
She joined Mie Nielsen, Rikke Moller Pedersen and Jeanette Ottesen to anchor the Danish women’s 4x100m medley relay to bronze behind the powerhouses of the USA and Australia in what was then a European record of 3:55.01.
Blume leaves the pool as the third-fastest woman in 50 free history with a time of 23.75 at the 2018 European Championships, finishing second in Glasgow 0.01 behind Sjostrom.
Only Sjostrom with her 2017 world record of 23.67 and Britta Steffen, with a super-suited 23.73 at the 2009 FINA World Championships have gone quicker.
Now she leaves the pool for pastures new although she as yet does not know what form that will take.
Her announcement read:
“Hello everyone ☺️
“I have some news to share with you.
“I’ve decided to retire from competitive swimming ?
“It has been a long journey coming to my decision and it has been some somewhat an emotional ride. Although it is hard and difficult to say goodbye to something I love so much, then it is also equally exciting and thrilling to think about a new chapter is about to unfold in my life.
“I don’t know yet how this new chapter will look like, but I’m taking the plunge and believing life’s got me and I will find my way to something meaningful and exciting just like swimming has been to me.
“I’m so grateful for everything swimming has taught me, for the people who helped me achieve my wildest dreams, for meeting people across the globe and making friends, for learning to dream big, for getting to know myself even better and for all the incredible experiences I had throughout the years.
Swimming will always have a special place in my heart and I will follow the world of swimming closely, but this time from the pool deck.
“Thank you for all the support ❤️”