NCAA Champion and Austrian Olympic Finalist Felix Auboeck Retires from Swimming

NCAA Champion and Austrian Olympic swimmer Felix Auboeck has announced his retirement from competitive swimming. He is 28-years old.

Auboeck, born in Austria, broke through as a collegiate athlete in the United States at the University of Michigan. There, he won four straight Big Ten titles in the 500 free and three straight Big Ten titles in the 1650 free. He was the 2019 NCAA Champion in the 1650 free as a junior, leading five career top-three finishes at the American collegiate championship event.

He was qualified to defend his title as a senior at the 2020 NCAA Championships before the meet was cancelled due to the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Auboeck raced internationally at the 2016, 2021, and 2024 Olympic Games for Austria, peaking in Tokyo with finals swims in the 400 free (4th), 800 free (7th), and 1500 free (7th).

Auboeck moved to Loughborough University in England in 2020 for his final year of preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. While the Tokyo Games were his best Olympic performance, his progress forward continued into the new Olympic quad. He broke Austrian Records in the 200, 400, and 800 freestyles between 2022 and 2024.

Auboeck’s Austrian Record List

• LCM 200 free – 1:45.11 (2022 Worlds)
• LCM 400 free – 3:43.24 (2024 Euros)
• LCM 800 free – 7:45.32 (2022 Swim Open Stockholm)
• LCM 1500 free – 14:51.88 (2021 Tokyo Olympics)
• SCM 200 free – 1:43.35 (2020 ISL)
• SCM 400 free – 3:35.90 (2021 SC Worlds)
• SCM 800 free – 7:32.89 (2020 SC Worlds)
• SCM 1500 free – 14:52.90 (2016 SC Worlds)
• SCM 800 free relay (2014 SC Worlds)

While he headed into the Paris Olympics with big momentum via a best time in the 400 free just a month earlier while winning a European Championship, he was unable to replicate his results after getting sick during the Games. He ultimately scratched the 200 free and missed finals in the 400 free (24th) and 800 free (13th). He finished his career with a bonus entry in the men’s open water 10km race, placing 24th in an event he doesn’t usually swim.

Auboeck also competed in the 2020 season of the International Swimming League for the New York Breakers, twice winning the 400 free in the regular season.

He was the 2021 World Short Course Champion in the 400 free and had three total European Championship medals in long course.

Auboeck announced his retirement in an Instagram post, recounting

“I have decided to retire from competitive swimming.

It is almost impossible to put into words what this sport has meant to me. Swimming shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities it gave me, travelling the world, living in Austria to Germany to the US and the UK, and building lifelong friendships with truly special people across the globe.

To all my coaches from the beginning to the end: Alex, Mr. Zenov, Paul, Walter, Miro, Lasse, Reni, Josh, Andi, Mike, Balazs, Richi, and Asterios – THANK YOU.

As a kid, I dreamed of swimming at the Olympic Games. I feel incredibly proud to have lived that dream not once, but three times, reaching three Olympic finals. The highlights of my sporting career, World and European Championship gold medals, came at moments when I needed them the most.

There are too many people to name individually, but to my family: you never questioned the early mornings or countless weekends spent at swimming pools. Your unconditional support means everything.

I am excited for the next chapter of my life. One thing I know for certain: I will always remain connected to this sport in one way or another.”