Two-Time Gold Medalist Ricky Berens Retiring at Age 24

American star Ricky Berens, a two-time Olympic champion on relays, has swum his last elite competitive race, according to a Tweet by Charlotte Observer reporter Scott Fowler.

“@RickyBerens just told me he’s retiring – at age 24 – from swimming. He won Olympic gold today in his last event. Classy guy.”

Berens is one of the most well-liked swimmers in the American camp, having become a fan-favorite for being extremely approachable and open to his fan-base (not to mention the infamous suit-split in 2009 that exposed him to a larger mainstream audience than anybody since Phelps). The decision will be a surprise to many, as he was just hitting his best swimming, and really made an outstanding marketing push in the last year with the launch of his own branding attack.

Berens ended on a high note, swimming a third leg of the American 800 free relay that split the race wide open en route to a gold medal. He was a part of history, as that race gave Michael Phelps his 19th Olympic medal: more than anyone in history.

Berens’ long-time girlfriend Rebecca Soni has two huge races left in the 200 breaststroke and the 400 medley relay.

He has a degree from Texas, and Fowler goes on that Berens is considering getting his Masters in Sports Management.

The stats on Berens:

  • 3 Olympic medals (2 gold, 1 silver)
  • World Record holder (800 free relay)
  • 16-time NCAA All-American
  • NCAA Champion (2009 – 800 free relay)
  • Two-time World Champion (400, 800 free relays)

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liquidassets
12 years ago

Shocker!! He’s still improving…. best of luck to him, and hope he gets itchy and makes a comeback for Rio!! 😉

Shiki
12 years ago

Will Soni retire?

swimfan50
12 years ago

He is smart to retire on top for sure. I hope Phelps goes out for sure too. I bet Grevers is done too. Time for the young guns to step up and they will!

Jean Michel
12 years ago

I knew Usa would eat the french in the 800 free relay !!! well done , well deserved guys . 3 seconds ahead ;;;;; wowww and close to the WR . Bang BadaBOUM

sir bro
12 years ago

Ricky is the man! Congrats on an amazing swimming career!

Back2Back
12 years ago

If all this electronic jargon is right, then we will certainly miss you Ricky! Rio will miss that amazing speed too! Hook ’em Horns and go USA!

12 years ago

A real mensch. All the best to him in his future endeavors. It’s been a privilege watching him swim as a member of the US National/Olympic Swim Team.

Karen_Mizzou
12 years ago

I hope he reconsiders this. Ricky is a wonderful person and just seems to be hitting his stride. He willbe successful in whatever he chooses to do; he comes from a great family. SwimMAC will be sad to see him go. He’s been a huge draw at the UltraSwim, being from Charlotte, and always so friendly.

Karen_Mizzou
Reply to  Karen_Mizzou
12 years ago

MAC, I mean. He didn’t swim for them again once they changed names. Regardless, he will be missed!!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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