Olympic Swimmer Felix Auböck Announces Retirement

Felix Auböck, a notable figure in competitive swimming and a European champion, has officially announced his retirement from the sport. The 28-year-old athlete made this decision public on Monday, having recently relocated to the United States to prepare for the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.

Despite his efforts, Auböck expressed that he was struggling to maintain motivation and conviction in his training. He indicated that after a long and successful career, it was time for him to pursue new professional opportunities. Auböck is currently in the final stages of his studies and aims to complete his degree to transition into a career that excites him.

Making such a significant decision was not easy for him; he spent several weeks reflecting on his future in the sport. He initially intended to bid farewell to his peers at the World Championships but ultimately concluded that he could not reach the competitive level he once achieved. Simply participating without the ambition to excel no longer felt sufficient to him. He noted that when both physical readiness and mental preparedness diminish, it becomes clear that a change is necessary.

Auböck's career is marked by impressive achievements. He worked his way up to the world elite, a feat not every athlete accomplishes. His accolades include becoming the short-course world champion in the 400-meter freestyle in 2021 in Abu Dhabi, as well as winning silver at the long-course European Championships in Budapest earlier that same year. In June 2024, he secured gold in the 50-meter freestyle at the European Championships in Belgrade, and he also earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2022 long-course European Championships in Rome. Throughout his career, he has finished fourth at the European Championships three times and once at the World Championships.

At the Olympic Games, his highest finish was fourth place, notably at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, where he missed out on a bronze medal by a mere 0.13 seconds. He reflected on this close finish as a minor regret in an otherwise stellar career. In addition to his fourth-place finish, he also placed seventh in both the 800 and 1500 meters. Auböck entered the 2024 Paris Olympics as a hopeful competitor but unfortunately did not advance past the heats and later fell ill, preventing him from competing in the 200 meters.

As a long-standing leader for the Austrian Swimming Federation (OSV), Auböck has also pursued higher education, studying at the University of Michigan before continuing his studies in Loughborough, England. He is now focused on completing his doctorate in International Finance and Political Relations. He acknowledges that his athletic achievements have greatly facilitated his educational pursuits, allowing him to secure scholarships that would otherwise have been unattainable.

Although he is stepping away from competitive swimming, Auböck intends to remain involved in the sport. He currently serves as an athlete representative for the Austrian Olympic Committee, a role he has held since August 2021 after the Tokyo Games. Nevertheless, he is prioritizing opportunities beyond the realm of swimming for the time being.