See-Bomb Drops the R-Bomb

Swimming Australia congratulated and thanked Emily Seebohm OAM for her dedicated years of service to the Australian Swim Team, following the Dolphin’s announcement of her retirement from competitive swimming.

In a career that spanned almost two decades, the seven-time Olympic medallist, including three golds, made an extraordinary bid to make her fifth Olympic team in Paris just eight months after the birth of her first child Sampson but fell just short.

Juggling motherhood and training, Dolphin #654 finally hung up her goggles after competing at the Queensland State Titles in December 2024 and leaves the international arena with five world championship gold medals, four world records (including relays), 15 Commonwealth Games medals and a staggering 178 World Cup medals.

Seebohm set the golden tone for her career early, making her Australian debut at 14 in Melbourne 2007, where she earned her first World Championships title and world record as part of the women’s 4x100m medley relay team.

Head Coach Rohan Taylor looked back on Seebohm’s swimming career with gratitude.

“I have been fortunate enough to be on almost every team Emily swam on since her debut in 2007 and I have seen her positive impact first hand, not only in the pool but also throughout her time with the younger members of the Dolphins team, particularly Kaylee McKeown,” Taylor said.

“Emily is a true competitor that gave confidence to her teammates, especially in relays.

“Her winning Olympic gold in the 4x100m medley relay at Bejing in a world record time alongside teammates Leisel Jones, Jess Schipper and Libby Lenton marked a key moment in Australian swimming history.”

With a career like Seebohm’s, picking just one highlight is by her admission near impossible.

“Representing Australia at four consecutive Olympics is incredible, especially because each Games were so different from the last,” Seebohm, 32, said.

“I was the youngest on the team at my first Olympic Games (16) and I had no idea of what to expect, so the whole experience of Bejing for me was so surreal and one I can never forget.

“But if I had to pick a moment, it would have to be at Tokyo presenting Kaylee McKeown with her gold medal (because of covid) after I won bronze in the 200m back and us sharing the top of the podium. That was incredibly special.

“Another standout for me has to be the 2017 World Champs in Budapest when I was the only Australian to win gold at the meet after winning the 200m backstroke.

“To be a back-to-back world champion is phenomenal and a once in a lifetime experience.”

Despite hanging up the gold cap, Seebohm is not done yet and the backstroke great is looking to go poolside.

“I love the commentary side of things. I have so much knowledge and experience of the sport that I would love to extend to rest of the world. I want to share what it takes to not only get to the top of swimming but also to consistently compete at that level” Seebohm said.

“I’ve grown up through swimming, so it’s weird to now be saying that I’m ‘finished’ with it. I guess that can never really be the case as I am still a passionate swimmer and want to be involved in the sport. My decision to retire from competitive swimming only takes away pressure.

“My morning alarms remain set but for now I’m simply enjoying that time I used to spend training with my friends and family and for myself.”

From all of us at Swimming Australia, thank you Em. Enjoy this well deserved time not counting laps.