Nicola Spirig announces retirement from triathlon
The five-time Olympian and two-time medallist will hang up her tri-suit at the end of the 2022 season after 25 years at the top of the sport
Five-time Olympian Nicola Spirig has today announced that she will retire from racing triathlon at the end of the 2022 season.
Announcing on her social platforms, the London Olympics gold medallist said:
“Over the past 25 years, I’ve achieved just about everything I’ve ever dreamed of, both athletically and personally. I’ve been able to take part in five Olympic Games, I’ve won two Olympic medals and seven European Championship titles, I was Switzerland’s Sportswoman of the Year, I’ve built up a foundation and the Kids Cup series, and I’m a mother of three wonderful children.
“I am incredibly grateful and also somewhat proud to have been able to experience all of this over the years. I am at peace with my life and my career, which is why I have decided to retire from professional triathlon at the end of the current season.”
Two-time Olympic medallist
The 40-year-old Swiss athlete has had one of the most illustrious and consistent multisport careers, which reached its pinnacle in 2012 when she won the Olympic Games in London’s Hyde Park.
The qualified lawyer and mum of three added a silver to her Olympic medal haul four years later in Rio, and finished a phenomenal sixth at the 2020 Tokyo Games last summer.
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A post shared by Nicola Spirig (@nicolaspirigofficial)
Spirig will be hoping to end her career on a racing-first high as she’ll be taking on the invite-only Sub8 Challenge in June. Sadly, she’ll be going it alone as Lucy Charles-Barclay has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
In her statement, Spirig added: “In my final season, the Sub8 project, an incredible challenge, will be a first highlight coming up in June. Thereafter, I will be entering a few more events before wrapping up the year and my career. I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and to dedicate myself to new, exciting projects.”
We wish Nicola a fantastic farewell season and all the very best for her future endeavours.
Top image: Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images
Liz Barrett
220 Deputy Editor 
