Doha World 200 Fly Champion Laura Stephens Calls Time On Career
Laura Stephens has called time on her career in which she was crowned world 200 fly champion in 2024 and visited the European and Commonwealth podiums.
The 26-year-old won the title in Doha last year, clocking 2:07.35 ahead of Helena Rosendahl Bach (2:07.44) and Lana Pudar (2:07.92) to become the first British woman to win an individual world title in the long-course pool since Rebecca Adlington edged Lotte Friis in an 800 free thriller at the 2011 edition in Shanghai.
The Briton travelled to Paris in July where she finished eighth in the Olympic final, three years after she finished 10th in the semis in Tokyo.
Stephens also visited the top of the European podium after she swam the fly leg of the British women’s 4×1 medley relay at the European Championships in 2021 where Kathleen Dawson set a continental record of 58.08 on leadoff which stands today. Molly Renshaw (1:05.72), Stephens (57.55) and Anna Hopkin (52.66) won the title in a British and championship record of 3:54.01 ahead of Russia and Italy. Following Stephens’ announcement, Dawson is the only woman in the quartet still competing today.
Stephens won 200 fly silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games behind Australia’s Elizabeth Dekkers and ahead of Brianna Throssell while swimming the fly leg as England claimed bronze in the women’s medley relay.
Stephens posted a statement to social media, saying: “Swimming. It’s time for me to step away from this wonderful sport that has taken me on the journey of a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who managed to hang on to this crazy rollercoaster with me, at the start, middle and end your support has meant more than I can put into words.
“Thank you to my family for your patience and love, and to my friends and teammates for your limitless belief and support ❤️ Endless thanks to my sponsor @arenawaterinstinctuk and all the staff @aquatics_gb the team always in my corner. My coaches Katie (Harwich SC) Michelle (Colchester SC) Robin @plymouthleander and Dave @loughborough_pc your lessons in perseverance, resilience and commitment have shaped the person I am today, thank you. And to my 9 year old self who couldn’t swim breaststroke to save her life…
Well, we still can’t xx”
