It's been a few weeks since Michelle Coleman made the decision to end her career, but only now has the swimming star chosen to go public with the news.
I've made my career in elite sports and I feel clear with a calm in my stomach and a joy and pride, says Michelle Coleman to SVT.
The decision came as a surprise to outsiders since Coleman had plans to continue as recently as January. But according to Coleman, she has wanted to make the decision for months.
Now she is ready to start a new chapter in her life.
I'm super happy and excited to start the "new life". Where you don't have to think about not missing training sessions, can't take a vacation, don't have to think about doping controls and so on. There are many small things that you've lived with for half your life that will now be completely different, says Coleman to SVT.
Michelle Coleman started swimming at the age of nine and made her national team debut in 2009. She has taken 20 international championship medals, including several World Championship medals in relay and won a European Championship gold in short course 50m freestyle in December 2023.
Born: October 31, 1993, in Vallentuna (31 years old).
Lives: Stockholm.
Clubs: Spårvägen (2014-2025), Täby Sim (-2014).
Main championship merits (selection): World Championship silver (long course): 4x100m medley (2024, 2015), European Championship gold (long course): 4x100m freestyle (2014), World Championship gold (short course): 4x50m medley (2021), 4x100m medley (2021), European Championship gold (short course): 50m freestyle (2023).
Other: Has swum in four Olympic Games (2012, 2016, 2021, 2024) and finished seventh individually, on 200m freestyle (2016), and fifth with Sweden in several relay events.
Source: TT/SVT/Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK).
