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After Third in 200 Back, Tyler Clary Announces His Retirement

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

After finishing third in the 200 backstroke tonight, defending Olympic champion in the 200 backstroke Tyler Clary announced his retirement.

In the post-race press conference, when asked whether he was going to retire, Clary replied: “Yeah, I don’t see a reason to continue. It’s been a great time as a professional swimmer. I’m looking forward to turning a page in the book of my life and starting a new chapter, you know, I’m going to get to do a lot of things that I’ve been wanting to do for a while now.”

Clary has said in the past that he was planning on retiring at the close of the 2016 season, so this announcement does not come as much of a surprise.

In total, Clary won sixteen medals in major international competition, including three gold, eight silver, and five bronze.

“I couldn’t be happier to be sending Team USA off with two backstrokers that I have a lot of respect for, and I know they are going to represent Team USA well in Rio,” he said.

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Future longhorn
8 years ago

Tyler took 15 minutes at a pro swim to help me with my dolphin kicks one time. I was a nobody. He had a great last swim and he will be missed. Great swimmer and man.

Stay Human
Reply to  Future longhorn
8 years ago

You’re not a nobody. And it sounds like Clary is exactly the kind of man who naturally knows that. I’m very glad to hear that. Best wishes for your future career as a Longhorn. I may be rooting for your rivals at Cal, but the friendly and very productive rivalry with the Longhorns is part of what makes Cal great too. Loved seeing all the Longhorns hugging after the 200 Free final. 🙂

Future longhorn
Reply to  Stay Human
8 years ago

Thanks that means alot, yeah cal keeps us frosty haha. It will be a fun four years!

Uberfan
8 years ago

Another great retiring the best 200 stroke specialist for a while, able to swim the 200 fly back and IM, shame he couldn’t cut it really thought he had it in him

Dan
Reply to  Uberfan
8 years ago

What happened, missed taper, not in shape, injury?
Both him and Lochte seems to have gone the same way this Olympic trials.
Just wish he would have been ready and at his best, if he did not make it under those circumstances there is nothing to say other than Thank you and good luck.

Stay Human
Reply to  Dan
8 years ago

He has never come back fully from London and this season was no exception. But he honestly did better than I thought he would in both the 2Back and the 2Free, getting a PB in the latter and also narrowly missing the team.

Stinky
8 years ago

I wonder if he regrets swimming all of the races that he did this week.

E GAMBLE
8 years ago

I have probably watched Tyler Clary’s winning the 200 back at least 100 times. It’s probably my favorite moment of the 2012 Olympics. You will definitely be missed in the sport if swimming. And good luck in all that you do.

The Albino Dolphin
8 years ago

Respect to Tyler Clary for always being real and being himself in interviews even if some of what he had to say came off as harsh. He never let the media mold him. Great career!

Cate
8 years ago

Are you sure Swimswam? *Matt grevers*

PKWater
8 years ago

You will be forever missed. I enjoyed watching you swim and you brought wonder to my eyes in 2012. Thank you

SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

Forever remembered as the gold medalist in the men’s 200 back in London.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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