Australian Olympian Brianna Throssell Calls Time on Stellar Career

Australia’s Triple Olympian Brianna Throssell Calls Time on A Stellar Career After Olympic Relay Gold in Paris

Brianna Throssell, Australian Dolphin number 728 has today announced her retirement from the pool with the same aplomb and humbleness that she brought to her glittering 12-year international career.

Commonwealth Games joy in Birmingham. Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia.

Throssell made her senior debut aged 18 at the 2014 World Short Course and three Olympics, six Long Course World Championships and two Commonwealth Games later, one of WA’s favourite swimming daughters has called time – with her retirement from competitive swimming.

The 29-year-old saying she could not have asked for a better finale, winning gold for Australia in the 4x200m freestyle relay at last year’s 4x200m freestyle relay – her fourth Olympic medal and her 29^th major international medal.

Throssell saying she knew the time was right.

“Swimming has been the biggest part of my life, giving everything I had and leaving no stone unturned,” Throssell said today.

“As I reflect on everything I’ve accomplished, l feel an overwhelming sense of pride in the journey I’ve taken; for over 12 years, l’ve been a part of the Australian Dolphins team and I’ve pushed myself to the absolute limit.

“I’ve competed in three Olympics, won four Olympic medals, represented in two Commonwealth Games and six long course World Championships, and set a world record.

“Each of these achievements holds a special place in my heart. But the greatest reward has been the person l’ve become through it all.

“Moving across the country, pushing myself beyond limits, and overcoming challenges has taught me invaluable lessons.

“I’ve learned the importance of persistence, the strength in vulnerability, and the power of surrounding yourself with a supportive network.

“These experiences have shaped me into someone who doesn’t just look at achievements but cherishes the growth that comes from each step of the journey.

“I am so proud of everything I’ve achieved and incredibly grateful for the lessons swimming has taught me. It was never about the medals, it’s about the people l’ve met, the strength I’ve found within myself, and the pride in knowing I gave everything I

“As I close this chapter, I am ready to take on my next steps with the same passion and commitment. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey….”

Brianna Throssell with Ariarne Titmus Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia

Dolphins coach Rohan Taylor praised Throssell for her contribution, professionalism and work ethic.

“Brianna has just contributed so much to this Dolphins swim team. She is a swimmer that just kept pushing and really found a way to get better. Bri will probably say her gold in Paris was a highlight,” said Taylor.

“But for me her individual medal in (the 200m freestyle at the 204 World LC Championships in Doha) was something special.

“It was a just reward for a true professional. She moved from Western Australia to the Sunshine Coast and then to (Brisbane) Dean (Boxall) at St Peters and she just worked so hard – her PB for the 100m and 200m free came at the Paris Olympic Trials and that was at the age of 28, it just showed her professionalism and work ethic.

“And I know other athletes have commented that just seeing her in a marshalling room for relays just gave them so much confidence. I would like to congratulate Brianna on a fabulous career and wish her all the best from all of us at Swimming Australia.”

Throssell burst on to the swimming scene at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, where she won seven bronze medals. Her impressive haul included individual bronze in the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly events.

After winning the silver medal at the 2016 Australian National Championships, Brianna made her Olympic debut in Rio 2016, finishing eighth in then 200m butterfly.

At the 2021 Australian National Championships, Brianna claimed gold in the 200m butterfly, with a time of 2:07.20, which qualified her for her second Olympic Team to Tokyo and her second Olympic final in the 200m butterfly.

But it was in the relays that she shone, winning gold as a member of the 4x100m medley relay and bronze medals in the 4x200m freestyle and the mixed medley.

The talented West Australian carried her form through to 2022 when she again helped Australia at the World Championships, swimming as a relay alternate in the 4x100m freestyle relay.

Ooo-Lah-La…Brianna Throssell off to Paris and her third Olympics. Photo Courtesy Swimming Australia

Also taking her place the Dolphins quartets for the finals of the 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays in which Australia took bronze.

She also swam in the heats of the 4x100m mixed medley relay in which Australia placed second behind the USA.

Fast forward to Fukuoka Worlds in 2023 and Throssell was part of the Australian team that claimed gold in world record time in the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Career Snapshot

Brianna Throssell made her international debut at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China, winning seven bronze medals.

At her debut at the 2014 World Swimming Championships (25m) in Doha, she helped secure bronze in the women’s 4x200m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays.

In 2018, at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, she won gold in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay and bronze in the 100m butterfly.

The 2019 World Championships in South Korea, saw her claim two relay golds: the women’s 4x200m freestyle (Oceania Record: 7:41.50) and the 4x100m freestyle (Championship Record: 3:30.21), alongside two silver medals in the 4x100m medley and mixed 4x100m freestyle relays.

Then in 2022 in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games, she won individual bronze in both the 100m and 200m butterfly.

In 2023, Brianna contributed to the world-record-breaking women’s 4x200m freestyle relay team at the Fukuoka World Championships (7:37.50) with her St Peters Western teammates, Ariarne Titmus, Shayna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan – in a world first.,

Golden bronze: Brianna Throssell DOHA 2024 celebrates first individual medal in then 200m freestyle (above and below). Photo Swimming Australia

Back in Doha 10 years after her debut, for the 2024 World Championships, she earned that so richly deserved first individual World Championship medal (bronze in the 200m freestyle), bringing her World Championships career tally to six golds, nine silvers, and three bronzes.

At 28, Brianna capped off her remarkable career with an Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games, as part of the Australian women’s 4x200m freestyle relay finals team who won the event for the first time since 2008 in an Olympic record time of 7:30.08.

Throssell, Western Australia’s most decorated Olympic swimmer, was awarded an Order of Australia in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.

“I’ll forever cherish the memories, friendships, and experiences … I am ready for a new chapter. The lessons I’ve learned—about perseverance, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence—will remain with me as I move forward but I am ready, and it was so wonderful to finish the way I did,” she said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better career finale (in Paris)…I still love the sport and really want to inspire the next generation because truly, swimming has taught me so much. I have so many people to thank … but to my parents and Dean (Boxall), to Josh (Milner) and all the Dolphins … thank you. I just feel so grateful… I just knew it was time…#728 signing out with pride….”