Canada’s most decorated swimmer is throwing in the towel.
After nearly 20 years of dedication to the sport of swimming, B.C.’s Ryan Cochrane announced his retirement on Tuesday.
The Victoria-born athlete has competed in three Olympic games, bringing home medals from two.
With eight medals from four FINA World Championships, three from the Pan American Games in 2015, four golds from three Commonwealth Games and six medals from three Pan Pacific Championships, Cochrane put Canadian swimming on the map in many ways.
“I’m continuously grateful to have been able to represent Canada over the last 12 years,” Cochrane wrote in a post on Facebook on Tuesday. “It was a thrilling and humbling adventure that I had dreamed about for as long as I can remember.
“I always wanted to be an Olympian and it still seems unbelievable to me that I was able to realize that goal.”
From winning 5 🎖️ at the 2005 #CanadaGames to becoming 🇨🇦's most decorated swimmer, it's been a treat to watch you compete @cochraneryan! https://t.co/LfcjyKEtjr
— Canada Games (@CanadaGames) March 21, 2017
To the person who changed the sport of swimming in Canada; you will always be my hero. Thank you, @cochraneryan ❤🔥 https://t.co/DxPZhDNI6j
— Brittany MacLean (@b_maclean) March 21, 2017
Thank you @cochraneryan Never stop inspiring Canadians; you paved a path for our current, freakishly fast national team! That was you buddy❤ https://t.co/9HdBiC5xQM
— Martha McCabe (@MarthMcC) March 21, 2017
Happy Retirement @cochraneryan... an icon of Canadian swimming and one of the best regarded swimmers I've heard folks speak of. #bravo
— Dave Ling (@CoachDLing) March 21, 2017
On behalf of all Canadians, congrats @cochraneryan on an incredible Olympic career that has proved to inspire so many of us. Thank you https://t.co/YXT4ZNQHW7
— Carla Qualtrough (@CQualtro) March 21, 2017
Cochrane has not released any details on his future plans.
