Two-Time Olympic Medalist Mykhailo Romanchuk Retires
Mykhailo Romanchuk, who won two medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, announced his retirement from swimming after the 2024 Paris Games.
Romanchuk, who turns 28 on Aug. 7, announced his decision on social media. The Ukrainian international won silver in the men’s 1,500 freestyle and bronze in the 800 free in Tokyo.
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Romanchuk wrote in part:
“Since 2011 on the international arena I have dignifiedly, proudly and honorably represented our country, our Ukraine! But this is life and this is sport – everything happens.”
For his final meet, Romanchuk struggled in Paris. He finished 17th in the men’s 800 free in 7:49.47, never a factor to make the final, then withdrew from the 1,500.
Romanchuk has long been a stalwart of the men’s distance field. His first major international medal came with silver in the 1,500 at the 2017 World Championships. He won silver against two years later in Gwangju and has won medals in international open water. His biggest medal on the world stage was gold in the men’s 1,500 free at the Short-Course World Championships in 2018.
He’s a 10-time medalist at the European Championships, with golds from 400 to 1,500 meters, including gold in the 800 free in Belgrade in June. He also took silver in the 1,500 at Euros. He’s got three European short-course medals.
Romanchuk’s training has been impacted in recent years by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The native of Rivne has been forced to train abroad while war has ravaged his country, a war his father and other family members have actively served in. He was welcomed by ostensible rival Florian Wellbrock to train with his group in Germany.
Romanchuk is well-respected among swimmers in the community – among the top comments on his post is a congratulations from double 1,500 free champ Bobby Finke of the United States about what an honor it was to race him.