Veteran open water swimmer, Alex Meyer, has announced his retirement from competitive swimming. The 28-year-old confirmed to SwimSwam this week that he has indeed decided to hang up his goggles, making the 62nd Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean in Quebec, Canada on July 30th his final race.
Meyer, who was a two-time All-Ivy swimmer while competing for Harvard, most recently earned a silver medal in the men’s 25k open water race at last year’s World Championships. He previously raced for Team USA in London at the 2012 Olympic Games, finishing 10th in the 10k open water event.
At the 2015 Open Water Nationals, Meyer repeated as national champion in the 5k and finished 3rd overall in the 10k.
Meyer claimed 25k gold back at the 2010 FINA World Open Water Swimming Championships in Roberval, Canada, so it’s quite fitting, then, that the USA National Teamer selected Roberval in which to close out his successful career. Having missed out on qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Meyer decided upon racing in the Traversée internationale du lac St-Jean, a pro-am open water swimming competition spanning 32k.
Mery told Open Water Daily News that he considered retirement after the 2015 FINA World Championships. “I was faced with the impending reality of life after swimming. But I had an unshakable feeling that before I could step away from the sport with peace and without regret, my story needed a closing chapter.”
Meyer won his final race, taking the Traversée crown in a tie of 6 hours, 27 minutes, and 59 to end his career on top of the open water podium.
Alex gave back as much or more than he ever took from the sport – this is a great thought and legacy – he is a smart young man that will do well in anything he wants!!!!
The guy is amazing. Good luck to him. What a career. He must be tough as nails.
Good for him!! Good luck in your life outside swimming!! I’m sure you’ll put your ivy school education to good use!!
6 mins 27.59 sec? How long was the race? Or was it 6 hrs 27 mins 59 sec? I’m new to open water so I don’t know how long the race is.
By the way incredible career and congrats. Good luck in all your future endeavors Alex!
Jeff – The race was 32k in total; here are the results from the event site: http://traversee.qc.ca/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/07/ccb20f0053d19e78b60d0c2078b367b9.pdf