Abbey Weitzeil Announces Year-Long Hiatus from Swimming Following Olympic Success
Abbey Weitzeil, the esteemed swimmer and 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist, has declared her intention to take a hiatus from competitive swimming for the upcoming year. This announcement was made public through a video shared on TikTok, wherein Ms. Weitzeil reflected on her recent experiences as she prepared to clear her locker at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal).
Having recently concluded her participation in her third Olympic Games, Weitzeil emphasized the significance of this break, noting, “This is a long break I have never taken before in my whole life. I am getting married this fall, and I am just going to live life for a second.” Her decision comes after a commendable career that includes significant achievements since her debut at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she secured a silver medal in the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay and a gold medal in the 4×100 meter medley relay, contributing to a new American record with her finals split of 52.56 seconds.
Weitzeil’s journey continued during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she aided the U.S. women’s team in securing a bronze medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay and a silver in the 4×100 meter medley relay, swimming in the finals for both events. In the subsequent years, she participated in the International Swimming League (ISL) and narrowly missed qualifying for the 2022 World Championship team, placing seventh in the 100 meter freestyle at the International Team Trials.
In 2023, she made a notable return by triumphing in the 50 meter freestyle event at the U.S. Summer Nationals with a time of 24.00 seconds while also finishing second in the 100 meter freestyle. She proceeded to compete at the World Championships, where she achieved commendable placements (fourth in the 50 free and sixth in the 100 free) while contributing to the United States’ success with four relay medals. Most recently, Ms. Weitzeil qualified for her third Olympic Games, placing fifth in the 100 meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials. At these Olympics, she was instrumental in capturing two more medals: a gold in the mixed 4×100 meter medley relay and a silver in the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay, where she participated in the preliminary heats.
In conclusion, Abbey Weitzeil’s decision to take a year off from competitive swimming marks a significant personal milestone, as she prepares for her upcoming marriage and seeks a well-deserved pause from her rigorous training schedule. Her illustrious career thus far serves as a testament to her dedication and skill in the sport.
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