Chris Walker-Hebborn retires from competitive swimming after ten successful years at Bath National Centre
Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medalist Chris Walker-Hebborn, one of the original members of the British Swimming National Centre at the University of Bath, has announced his retirement from competitive swimming.
The backstroke specialist was one of four swimmers to join the national training programme, based in the Sports Training Village, when it launched shortly after the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The next decade saw him race at London 2012 and Rio 2016, winning men’s 4x100m medley relay silver in the latter, and claim gold medals on the World, European and Commonwealth stages.
He also won nine domestic titles and 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.
“If there is 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.”
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