JOURNEY’S END

Swimming star Miley calls time on career

HANNAH Miley has described her career as ‘an incredible journey’ and ‘one hell of a ride’ after announcing her retirement from competitive swimming at the age of 32.

The double Commonwealth champion won 400 metres gold for Scotland in Delhi in 2010 before successfully defending her title in Glasgow four years later, as well as collecting bronze in the 200m medley.

Despite appearing at three Olympics for Team GB from 2008 to 2016, she failed to land a medal.

There was particular heartbreak in Rio when she narrowly missed out on a podium place when finishing fourth in the 400m medley, lying third within sight of the finishing line until she was pipped at the post by Spain’s Mireia Belmonte.

However, Miley, whose chances of a fourth Olympic appearance in Tokyo were dashed by surgery, insisted yesterday that she had given her all in pursuit of success on the international stage — and looked back with pride ‘and a smile’.

‘While this is difficult to write, I have made the big decision to announce my retirement from swimming, well, competitively at least,’ said Miley, who also won one world and three European titles.

‘It’s a sport I will always love and, whilst I will be hanging up my racing suit, my goggles will remain in my hand.

‘I remember being an eightyear-old swimmer desperate to go to the pool, 24 years later that feeling hasn’t changed.

‘Three Olympic Games, double Commonwealth champion, world and European champion, European record-holder.

‘To stand on the podium and listen to the national anthem for both Great Britain and Team Scotland is indescribable. It’s been one hell of a ride.’

Miley reserved special thanks and praise for her father, Patrick, who has been her coach and guiding light throughout her career.

‘I’ve met and worked with so many wonderful people and would like to thank them all for their time and support. You all know who you are,’ she said.

‘There is one person I need to thank, my dad. His ingenious ability to think outside the box and groundbreaking analysis has taken my family, aka “Team Miley”, on the most incredible journey.’

Miley’s illustrious career included taking 400m silver at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, having claimed European gold in the same event in 2010. She also boasts one silver and three bronze European Championship medals.

She won 400m medley gold at the 2012 World Short Course Championships, having secured silver in the 400m and bronze in the 200m medley in Manchester four years previously, and was crowned 400m medley champion at the European Short Course Championships in 2009 and 2012.

Miley still holds the British record in the women’s 400m individual medley. She added: ‘Reflecting on my career, I look back with pride and a smile as I feel like I have achieved everything I possibly could over the last 17 years of international racing.

‘Whilst the Olympic medal eluded me, I still feel satisfied I couldn’t have given it anymore.

‘I will always be “Smiley Miley” and I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for me next.’

British Swimming national performance director Chris Spice hailed Miley as one of the sport’s finest ambassadors, always ready to help younger competitors find their way in the sport.

‘Hannah has been a fantastic, long-serving ambassador for British Swimming,’ said Spice, ‘with world and European medals to her name, as well as appearances in finals at three successive Olympic Games.

‘On top of that, she was a fantastic leader and a role model for younger athletes, too.

‘We wish her all the best for the future and whatever she goes on to do next.’