Hannah Russell Declares Her Departure From Competitive Swimming

After ten years of success in the water, three-time Paralympic swimming champion Hannah Russell has announced her retirement.

At the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Russell came away with two gold medals. He won the S12 50m Freestyle and the S12 100m Backstroke, both of which he completed in a time that broke the previous world record.

In order to win her third Paralympic gold, she then successfully defended her S12 100-meter backstroke title in Tokyo 2020.

Russell said she is looking forward to giving back to the sport after retiring from a glitzy career in an interview with British Swimming.

She said: “I’ve always felt strongly about giving back to the sport. Making a difference in my community and applying the skills I’ve learned from my elite swimming career are things I’m looking forward to doing.

“If you believe, you can achieve, is my motto for all children and young people.

“I saw the effects and lasting effects the Paralympics in London in 2012 had on all young children, and I think that grassroots sports that inspire young people will be the main venues for our future champions to shine.

“Since I have always felt safe and secure in the water, it is crucial that more visually impaired athletes are inspired and given the confidence to take up swimming.

“It’s so encouraging to see that a relay for the blind will be part of Paris 2024, as it demonstrates how far my VI category and our sport have come.”

A Glittering Career

At the age of seven, Russell joined Woking Swimming Club. At the age of 14, when the 2011 European Championships were held in Berlin, she made her international para-swimming debut by winning a silver and bronze medal.

She next had the chance to compete in front of home fans at her first Paralympic Games in London 2012, where she won the S12 400m Freestyle silver medal and added two bronze medals in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly.

She won the S12 100m Backstroke title at the 2013 Montreal World Para Swimming Championships on her way to the Rio 2016 Paralympics. The swimmer was born in Surrey.

She won two of her three Paralympic gold medals in Rio before adding a bronze in the S13 100m Freestyle.

Russell persevered through the pandemic to hold onto her S12 100m Backstroke Paralympic crown and add bronze in the S12 100m Freestyle, despite taking a break from swimming in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020.

Through the course of her career, Russell collected 35 international medals, including 12 World, 14 European, and 3 World Championship golds, the last of which she won at the 2022 Madeira Para Swimming World Championships in June.

She ended her career on a high note by moving up a class to compete in her first Commonwealth Games and winning silver in the S13 50m Freestyle final, which was the first time a visually impaired para-swimming event was included at the Birmingham 2022 games.

The triple Paralympic champion visited Windsor Castle in June, where the then-Prince Charles gave her an OBE, and her contributions to swimming were recognized in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list.

“The Time Feels Right”

Speaking of her retirement, Russell said: “I believe the moment is right. After three Paralympic Games and 35 international medals, finishing with a debut Commonwealth Games this summer was such a fun experience — being a part of an integrated swimming team was really special, and it being in Birmingham meant that many of my family and friends could be there to support in the home crowd.

“I pushed myself physically and mentally while swimming, working incredibly hard to get that extra 1% needed to be the best, and I can say that I accomplished everything I set out to do from a sporting standpoint.

“As I move on to a new challenge and embrace a career in primary teaching with the Department for Education, I’m leaving the sport on a high note.

“My family has been my pillar of strength and one of my biggest supporters throughout my entire swimming career, so I want to thank them. In addition to the numerous British Para-Swimming staff members who have assisted me with all the opportunities I have been fortunate enough to encounter over the past 11 years, I would like to express my gratitude to my swimming clubs Woking and COMAST.

“The very best of luck to my teammates in the future. I have made some very special friendships with them that I hope last a lifetime. I will be thrilled to continue cheering them on from the sidelines as they travel to Paris and beyond.”

Source: https://www.swimming.org/sport/hannah-russell-announces-retirement/