Two-Time Olympian Joe Litchfield Calls Time On His Career
Two-time Olympian Joe Litchfield has retired from competition following a career in which he won world and European relay titles.
The 27-year-old, who was coached by Dave Hemmings at Loughborough, leaves the pool 10 years after being crowned 200IM champion at the 2016 European Junior Championships in Hódmezővásárhely, Hungary.
He would go on to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 in the 200IM and 4x100m freestyle relay and made his second Games appearance in Paris three years later on the fly leg in the prelims of the mixed and men’s medley relays.
He swam the heats of the mixed 4×2 free and medley relays at the European Championships in Budapest in 2021 where the British quartets would go on to win gold and also claimed silver as a prelim swimmer in the men’s 4×100 free.
At the World Championships in the Hungarian capital a year later, Litchfield swam the penultimate leg as Great Britain won 4×2 bronze.
He led off in prelims at the Fukuoka worlds a year later as the British quartet went on to win gold.
Litchfield – the younger brother of Max Litchfield – also won double relay silver with Team England at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Tagging his location as Freedom, Litchfield said on social media:
“After 20+ years of daily baths disguised as training sessions, permanent goggle marks and almost always having a blocked nose, the time has come for me to retire from swimming.
“It’s hard to explain in one short post what this sport has given me. From competing for my country on the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth stage, to becoming World and European Champion, swimming has taken me further than I ever could have imagined. More importantly, it’s introduced me to incredible people, lifelong friends and memories that I’ll carry with me forever.
“Thank you to every coach, teammate, member of staff and sponsor who helped and supported me throughout the years. I’ve been incredibly lucky to share this journey with all of you incredible people.
“A huge thank you to my family, because without them none of this would ever have been possible. To my parents for the endless early mornings, post night shift pick ups, the constant support, and the many journeys to training.
“And to my wife, thank you for putting up with the hot pool balconies, the constant tiredness, the endless routine, and the protein-induced 💨. Your support through it all has meant everything to me.
“I’m excited for what the future holds next. Swimming will always be a huge part of my life, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything this sport has given me.
“Thank you 💙”
