Dutch swimmer and three times Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo is ending her career with immediate effect.

Kromowidjojo, now 31, is one of the most successful Dutch swimmers in international sport, with 17 world and 24 European titles to her name.

‘It is not that I don’t like it any more, or that my body has had enough,’ she told broadcaster NOS. ‘But I am 31 and I have achieved so much. What do I still want to achieve? Of course I can always swim faster or better, but in the end, I think, things are good as they are.’

Kromowidjojo started her international career as a 15-year-old and helped power the Dutch to the 4×50 metre freestyle European title. In total, she has taken part in 30 international competitions during her 16-year career, including four Olympics.

She returned from the Tokyo Olympics empty-handed but at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi later in the year, she picked up six medals, including gold in the 50 metres butterfly and silver in the 50 metres freestyle, which was to be her last international race.

 

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Kromowidjojo said on Instagram that years in international sport had taught her that you can achieve much more than you think. ‘And I am convinced these experiences are going to help me in my next challenge, to inspire others,’ she said.