Olympic silver medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn has called time on an elite swimming career that has spanned more than a decade.
The Bath-based swimmer made his international debut at the European Junior Championships in Antwerp in 2007 and went on to represent Great Britain at every level of his sport and becoming a World, European and Commonwealth Champion in the process.
Walker-Hebborn claimed a total of nine domestic backstroke titles and reflecting on his time in the pool said, “I have achieved more in swimming than I could have ever dreamed of when I was starting out in the sport.
“I have won an Olympic medal, competed at a home Games, become a World, European, Commonwealth, British Champion and broken a World record.
“Most importantly I’ve been able to travel the World and had a great time doing what I love.
- Chris Walker-Hebborn“If there’s one piece of advice that I can pass onto young swimmers and kids with a dream, it’s to never stop believing in yourself. Give it your everything and you never know where it may take you.”
British Swimming National Performance Director Chris Spice added: “Chris has been an outstanding member of the GB swim team and leaves our sport as an Olympic medallist, World Champion, European Champion, Commonwealth Champion, and he was also World and European record holder which very few athletes in their careers achieve.
"Not only was Chris was a great individual swimmer but he has been an integral part of our multi-medal winning medley relay teams over the past four years and he made a great contribution across the board.
"We wish Chris well in his future endeavours and I know if he applies himself to the next chapter of his life as well as he has with swimming, then he will be a great success.”