Scotland’s double Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, Caitlin McClatchey, has announced her retirement from competitive swimming with immediate effect.
Looking back on a career that has included appearances for Team Scotland at the Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and for Team GB at three Olympics, she said:
“I have some amazing memories and I am very proud of my achievements in the sport. My career highlight was when I became double Commonwealth Champion and won Scotland’s first gold medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006. To compete in finals at all three Olympic Games, and to win multiple World championship medals has been a dream come true.
“The last few years have been particularly special competing in both a home Olympics and home Commonwealth Games.”
Caitlin is currently studying at Edinburgh University as she prepares for life out of the water, looking combine her studies with a wealth of personal experience to help the next generation.
“I am very excited to be starting a new chapter and taking on new challenges,” she said.
“Once I have finished my Masters degree in Performance Psychology I want to be involved in sport and help others to perform at the highest level. I am looking forward to supporting the next generation of British swimmers and watching them achieve incredible things at the Rio Olympics next year.”
Caitlin attributes her career to the support of a number of people who have helped her along the way.
“I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in my career, including my current coach, Chris Jones, my University of Edinburgh and Scottish Swimming team-mates, without whose help and support I would not be where I am today,” she said.
“Thank you to UK Sport, Scottish Swimming, Red Sky and all of my sponsors. I have also made some great friends and met some wonderful people along the way, especially my former coach Ian Armiger.
“The biggest thank you is to my friends and family, especially my late father Professor John McClatchey, who was my greatest supporter and always believed in me, even when I doubted myself. I will miss him very much.”
Ally Whike, Performance Director at Scottish Swimming said,
“Caitlin has been a fantastic ambassador for Scottish Swimming for over 10 years and one of Scotland’s finest ever female athletes.
“She is a great role model for other young, aspiring athletes with an impressive career record, including three consecutive Olympic Games and three consecutive Commonwealth Games. Melbourne (2006 Commonwealth Games) was a real standout moment for her and epitomizes her as an athlete, standing up and performing on the big occasions when it really counts. To bring home Scotland’s first gold medal and in doing so beating the home favourite was a great moment to witness.
“We look forward to working with Caitlin in the future and for her to share her knowledge and experience with our upcoming swimmers and we wish her all the very best as she starts on the next exciting chapter in her life.”
Jon Doig, Chief Executive at Commonwealth Games Scotland said:
“We wish Caitlin all the best on her retirement. She was an inspirational figure for Team Scotland athletes in her three Games, successful in her own right and a great team player. No one will forget the first night in Melbourne in 2006 when she stunned the Aussies in their own pool to help put Scotland top of the medal table on day one. Caitlin showed that when belief is combined with hard work and dedication anything is possible”