Triple Olympian, World and Commonwealth Champion, Robbie Renwick, has announced his retirement from competitive swimming after more than a decade at the top of 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 has 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, a medal he didn’t think he would win at that time.
“This is one of my favorite memories as it marked a return to form despite part of me believing I was past my best. It is difficult to do justice to that feeling; it was like standing on top of the world.”
With such a boost of confidence, Renwick maintained his form and went 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.”
Bill Furniss, British Swimming Head Coach, also commented,
“Robbie has been a great servant to the sport of swimming for well over a decade and in that time he has continually performed at the very highest level.
“He has won medals across the board and showed his class right up until the end of the career by becoming a relay world champion in 2015 and a 4x200m freestyle relay Olympic silver medallist in 2016.
- Bill Furniss - British Swimming Head Coach“Rio was his third Olympic Games and his contribution to the development of the relay team was immense.
“Robbie’s dedication and commitment has rewarded him with a long and productive career and I’m sure he will use these qualities in the next chapter of his life.”
Renwick starts his new chapter by saying,
“I’m incredibly proud and privileged to have raced for my country and for the career I have been afforded through sport, but if I have inspired even one person to start swimming, or to lead a healthier life, then that makes every bit of the dedication and hard work worth it.
“Swimming will always be close to my heart and this is merely just a new chapter starting. I look forward putting my energy into a new adventure, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
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.