French swimmer Jeremy Stravius has announced his retirement from competitive swimming. He’ll hang his suit up at 31-years old, just 6 months before a potential 3rd Olympic appearance.
Stravius was the 2011 World Champion in the 100 meter backstroke, and owns 3 Olympic medals as part of French relays – gold in 2012 in the 400 free relay, silver in 2012 in the 800 free relay, and silver in 2016 in the 400 free relay. He is in total 4-time World Champion (all in long course) and a 12-time European Champion (4 in long course, 8 in short course).
Stravius has continued to compete regularly, including this weekend at the Luxembourg Euro Meet where he was 25th in prelims of the 100 free (50.87), 6th in finals of the 50 fly (24.20), and 5th in finals of the 100 fly (53.09).
“When I got out of the water, I knew it was my last, Stravius said to the Courrier Picard in announcing his decision. “I have come to the end of the adventure and I am relieved to have made this decision. I did not take it lightly. I am sure of myself. I had reached a point where I had to stop. When it’s time, it’s time.”
He ranked 103rd in the inaugural season of the International Swimming League last fall, representing the D.C. Trident. That included picking up a win in the 50 backstroke in Naples in 23.13.
While Stravius’ sprint freestyle, 50 back, and 50 fly times have continued to improve into his late 20s, including a lifetime best in short course meters of 47.02 in December at what will be his last French Championships, he never again matched his 100 back time that won him a World Championship in 2011 at 23-years old.
The French Championships run from April 14th-19th where swimmers will attempt to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. Stravius was his country’s top-ranked 50 backstroker in long course in 2019, but in the Olympic 100 meter distance ranked just 6th-best. He also ranked 6th-best in the 100 free in 48.79, which could have been good enough for a prelims relay spot in Tokyo.
Felt that one coming for a while . Great Swimmer , One of the best France has had for a decade or more …. incredible range & underwaters !! One of my Favorite french swimmer .
Always one of my favorites, I always thought he had a huge 200 IM in there somewhere but I guess world champion in the 100 back and some clutch relay legs is a pretty good legacy. Sad to see another one of that French golden generation of men retire, basically just Manaudou (and maybe Metella though he wasn’t on the Olympic team) from that 08-12 period left.
Stravius had an especially challenging and unusual background growing up poor and in foster care, albeit lucky to be placed with a loving family. Really impressive story and worth reading, even with google translate: https://www.lejdd.fr/Sport/Natation/Jeremy-Stravius-le-nageur-et-la-nounou-621177-3198821
another all-time ‘Wish we could have seen him swim SCY in his prime’ swimmer.
congrats on the great career
Such a legendary mainstay of the sport. Jeremy Stravius was always someone I loved to see swim . Such consistent talent . Sad to see him retire, but glad he was such a hard-working truly great swimmer
Thanks for beating the Russians (mainly morozov) in 2014 at the European LC champions on the 4x100free relay as a part of a bet that won me £2.4k.
Forever grateful Jeremy
At that moment I was yours no1 fan.
Insane underwater work and underrated, if he was America would be talked about more.
If he was an American he would have made less international teams…
debatable,
in the 200 free , he would have placed very well in Each OT
He was a constant in French swimming for a decade. Talented and versatile. He could always be counted on in the relays
very fun to watch him swim as well. those massive underwaters in relays are always cool to see
with Lochte , Phelps , Le Clos , Shields , one of the best underwaters we have witnessed for sure …..
Surprised by this announcement before French championships in April but he knows better than anyone else what’s best for him.
Pretty long career for a French swimmer. Versatility, which is not so common in French swimming either. Big underwaters. Amazing relay swimmer. He was pretty shy outside of the water and didn’t like much to be in the spotlight.
Congrats on a great career.
Its closer to 5 months now isn’t it ? By retiring now , he gets to actually have a 2020 otherwise it would be a blur.