The letter below is courtesy of Lauren Perdue.
Today, it is bittersweet that I announce my retirement from competitive swimming.
For 18 years, swimming has been a significant part of my life and has helped shape the individual I am today. I’ve had some major injuries the past few years, including a significant back injury that required surgery only three months before the 2012 Olympic Trials. I was able to recover in time to make the 2012 Olympic team but over time, it has become apparent that my back injury has still not been resolved.
This past year, I have been pursuing my dream as a professional swimmer in Charlotte, N.C. My goal upon moving to the Queen City was to train under David Marsh at Swim MAC Team Elite and ultimately make the 2016 Olympic team, but due to chronic back and elbow injuries, I was never able to compete.
This has been a tough decision, but despite my strong desire to compete, my body has had enough.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have cheered me on and believed in me over the years. Thank you to my age group coach, Casey Charles, who first encouraged me to dream big. Thank you to my college coach, Mark Bernardino, who gave me confidence in my abilities and helped me reach the pinnacle of my sport. Thanks to David Marsh and the coaches of Swim MAC Team Elite who have been incredibly patient with me throughout my injuries this past year. Finally, I would like to thank David Arluck, CEO of Arluck Promotions and the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, as well as TYR Sport for their ongoing support.
It was an honor to represent the United States of America in the Olympic Games and I am forever grateful for the opportunities swimming has provided. I will continue to stay involved and give back to the sport in every way possible.
Thank you and God Bless,
Lauren Perdue
Official TYR Press Release
After a hugely successful career, including an Olympic Gold Medal win, Lauren Perdue has decided to retire from competitive swimming as a result of chronic back and elbow injuries.
Just three months before the 2012 Olympic Trials, Perdue had to undergo surgery for a serious back injury. She still managed to take 4th place in the 200-meter freestyle, which earned her a spot on the 2012 Olympic team. At the London Games, Perdue helped lead her team to a Gold medal finish in the preliminary heats of the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.
Despite her success and perseverance, the 23 year old has experienced persistent back and elbow injuries that have left her unable to compete over the last year. While the athlete had her sights set on Rio 2016, she has decided that the healthiest choice for her body is to officially retire.
“This has been a tough decision, but despite my strong desire to compete, my body has had enough,” Perdue said. “It was an honor to represent the United States of America in the Olympic Games, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities swimming has provided. I will continue to stay involved and give back to the sport in every way possible.”
“It is unfortunate that Lauren Perdue’s promising career was cut short, but TYR fully respects and supports her decision to retire, “ said Matt DiLorenzo, chief executive officer of TYR. “We wish Lauren all the best in her future endeavors, and we look forward to continuing a professional relationship with her. She will remain a strong ambassador for our brand and for the sport as a whole.”
Named for TYR, the Norse god of warriors, we are a company started by athletes and powered by athletes. We are dedicated to re-imagining technologies that help athletes obtain peak performance through innovation and design. Like all athletes, we always work with an intense spirit of competition. Everything we do revolves around creating the fastest, most advanced performance products. Always in front.
TYR is a SwimSwam partner.
She has a future in music video. Lauren is super smoking hot in the Call me Maybe spoof!
What a class act! Good luck, Lauren, in your future endeavors!
Lauren’s major at UVa was Anthropology.
She’s very pretty.
Yah, no wonder Lebron James made a pass at her.
I had a little chuckle seeing the downvotes.
So complimenting someone sincerely is now considered bad manner/attitude?
Has (american) society gone that cynical/politically correct/sinister/suspicious?
No, I am not lusting over Perdue. I was just saying what I think of her, and it is out of good intention.
This reminds me when Bobo was called pervert (pre-downvote era) by some people when he commented that Olivia Smoliga was pretty.
Or did the downvotes come from people who think Perdue as ugly? It baffles me.
Some narrow-minded Americans believe it is somehow sexist to compliment the appearance of a woman who is successful in her chosen field, as though the compliment somehow detracts from her achievements. I wonder if these downvoters are equally offended by Eve and Candace commenting on the appearance of male swimmers, as if that somehow detracts from the swimming successes of Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian, and others. Somehow, I doubt if any of these swimmers, male or female, are offended by the compliments on their appearance.
Somehow, I used the word “somehow” way too many times in that paragraph.
Funny – my first reaction was the same – wow, she’s pretty!
Best of luck Lauren as you move on with your life. Anyone know what her major was in college??