Three-time Olympic medalist Paige Madden will skip this year’s World Championship Trials for the U.S., but is leaving the door open to a run for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“Due to a mix of circumstances, I won’t be competing at the upcoming World Championship trials. I’ve been working full time towards a career in healthcare and am prioritizing family for some pretty special events,” Madden said on her Instagram post.
She alluded to her brother Carl’s upcoming wedding as well.
“That being said, I haven’t closed the door on 2028 just yet. More to come,” she added.
Madden, 26, won back-to-back silver medals in the women’s 800 free relay at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, swimming finals legs in both editions. In 2024 she added an individual bronze in the 800 meter freestyle, part of an electric race where she pushed superstars Katie Ledecky and Ariarne Titmus in a way that they aren’t often pushed.
Madden’s 8:13.00 makes her the 4th-fastest performer in the history of the event behind only Ledecky, Titmus, and Canadian Summer McIntosh: three first ballot hall of famers.
Madden hasn’t raced officially since the World Short Course Swimming Championships in December, where she finished 4th in the 400 and 800 free and 6th in the 200 free.
Madden is one of a number of Olympians who will miss this year’s World Championship Trials without retiring, including Ryan Murphy, Matt Fallon, and Luke Whitlock. Between the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games, she improved her best time in the 800 free by more than 14 seconds.
Good luck! You have had an amazing career!
she accomplished one of the greatest feats. She’s a sweetheart i wish her the best.
Jillian Cox will have big “fins” to fill in the W 800 FR, so to speak.
USA Swimming will miss Paige Madden in the W 4 x 200 FR-R at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships especially with the uninspiring times posted in the W 200 FR (with the exception of Claire Weinstein) at the 2025 TYR Pro Swim Series – Fort Lauderdale.
do you ever try to make good comments
Bobo Gigi is back
Prioritizing a “career in healthcare” under this current regime is certainly a choice.
Do you just…not want us to have healthcare workers anymore? Please touch grass
Thank you!!
I think the point is likely that there is no money for research in a lot of areas of healthcare anymore. Or at least that would be my interpretation.
Someone who is just angry all the time due to political beliefs cannot be helped.
You heard it folks, no more healthcare until the next president. You’re on your own
that’s bs. There will always be a need for healthcare workers.
all depends on what she is pursuing. If she’s going into nursing or pharmacy, sky is the limit.
So when you have a heart attack you’ll just stay home and not burden the healthcare system right?
ngl you’re not TOTALLY wrong.
Still mostly wrong, but I absolutely see where you’re coming from.
She is one of many! Chase, Jay, Olivia, Leah, Nic, etc. Paige is much younger than others.
It’s usually the case after the Summer Olympics.
Didn’t she race at SC Worlds?
It’s a cry-a-thon:
https://youtu.be/gnr8iELqIGM?si=leO44yEr5VEzl6Zu
God forbid a human show emotions during a life changing moment
Those were the play-by-play commentator’s words.
Mike McCann?
Interesting, I’ve definitely thought she quietly retired. Hope she enjoys her break!
Know it all for sure!
I know her personally. It wasn’t speculation.