Swimming: Olympic medallist Cassandra Patten retires from swimming

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Olympic bronze medallist Cassandra Patten has announced her retirement from swimming due to an ongoing shoulder injury.

Patten, 24, who won the bronze medal in the 10 km Open Water at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, also has two World Championship silver medals for the same discipline.

“I’ll miss everything about swimming,” said Patten. “I’m not retiring because I don’t love the sport anymore it is just because my body won’t let me.

“I have been carrying a shoulder injury for a number of months. I didn’t want to talk about it in the run up to the World Championships and did everything I possibly could to overcome it,” she said.

“I did everything I could but even after intensive physio and then a six-week break the pain was still there. After some time at home I came to the tough decision to retire.”

She let her fans know by sending this message out on Twitter, “After a battle with a shoulder injury which is not getting any better, I have made the decision that I’m retiring from swimming! Sad times!”

Patten paid tribute to all the coaches she has swum for during her career; at Bodmin, Plymouth Leander and more recently Sean Kelly at the British Gas ITC in Stockport – who coached Patten to her Olympic and World medals - and Russ Barber at City of Sheffield.

“I have been lucky enough to swim at four great clubs during my career and have competed with and against some great swimmers such as Keri-Anne Payne and Rebecca Adlington and have been on the British Team with another great swimmer, David Davies too.”

In addition to her international honours, Patten cited her career highlight as her first national title in 2004, after finishing in fourth place three times in a row, she took gold at the ASA National Age Group Championships in the last year she was eligible. Reaching the final of the 800m at the Beijing Olympic Games was a highlight too.

“I never thought I would retire before 2012, to compete at the trials was always my goal but I am now back home in Plymouth and will take some time out before doing some travelling and then hopefully next year I’ll go to University.”

Michael Scott, British Swimming National Performance Director said: “Cassie has had an outstanding career both in the pool and open water and she has been a great role model and ambassador for the sport.

“Her contribution to Britain’s success on the world stage has been significant and her personality and drive will be missed by all those involved with the national team.

“On behalf of everyone on the British Gas GBR Swimming Team we wish Cassie all the best for the future personally and professionally.”

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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