Aberdeen Swimmer Robbie Renwick retires

Triple Olympian, World and Commonwealth Champion, Robbie Renwick, has announced his retirement from competitive swimming after more than a decade in the sport

Published 6th Dec 2016

Triple Olympian, World and Commonwealth Champion, Robbie Renwick, has announced his retirement from competitive swimming after more than a decade in the sport, which has seen him represent Scotland and Great Britain at every major event.

Renwick broke onto the international scene back in 2006 when he represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in which he won silver in the 4x200m freestyle. He repeated that achievement in the next two Commonwealth Games, also winning individual gold in the 200m freestyle in Delhi, a medal he dedicated to his late coach, Eileen Adams, who he cites as one of his biggest inspirations, both personally and professionally and who influenced all his achievements to date.

2015 saw Renwick achieve gold at the World Championships in Kazan as part of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay –he onto be selected to TeamGB for his third consecutive Olympic Games and he returned from Rio with a silver medal fulfilling the dream he’d had since he was a young boy. He said:

“To start with it was a bittersweet moment for me. I was initially devastated not to perform well enough to be part of the final, but I’ve had time to reflect and I’m incredibly proud of my contribution. I’ve been lucky enough to share the pool with many talented swimmers over the years, but to be part of TeamGB at our most successful Games ever is priceless and a perfect way to close such an incredible chapter in my life.

“Despite moving on from competitive swimming I will stay involved and I am looking forward to focusing my efforts on the development and business side of the sport.

“I feel passionately about sharing my knowledge with the next generation, and mentoring younger athletes who are starting out in their career. I firmly believe that, without the help and support of others, no athlete can reach their full potential.”

Scottish Swimming’s Performance Director, Ally Whike, paid tribute to Renwick, saying:

“Robbie has been an outstanding ambassador for Scottish and British sport over the past decade and all of us within the Scottish swimming community are extremely proud of his achievements.

“There are not many athletes that complete the “grand slam” of medals across the major international championships and winning a silver medal in Rio was a fitting end to a distinguished career. We are delighted that Robbie will be continuing to inspire others to get in the pool and enjoy the sport as much as he clearly has.”

Renwick competed at the Beijing, London and Rio Olympic Games and was a member of Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Delhi and Glasgow.