U.S. Paralympic gold medalist and World Record holder Becca Meyers has announced her retirement from competitive swimming.
The 27-year old Meyers announced the decision on Instagram with a letter written to her 6-year old self.
“Don’t worry. Your disabilities won’t hold you back from achieving your dreams. Swimming will bring you happiness in ways you can’t even begin to imagine,” the letter begins, before going on to list some of her accomplishments.
Meyers was a member of the U.S. teams at both the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, which included winning gold in the 100 fly, 200 IM, and 400 free at the 2016 Rio Games. Those added to two silvers and a bronze medal for six career Paralympic medals.
Meyers was qualified to swim at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as well, but withdrew, citing the USOPC’s decision to not allow her to bring her assistant with her to Japan because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Meyers was also twice named the ESPY Award winner for Best Female Athlete with a Disability by ESPN: in 2015 and 2017.
Meyers swam collegiately at NCAA Division III school Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania, where she finished 6th in the 1650 free at the 2016 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships.
She has won medals at a number of other international events, including bronze at the 2009 Deaflympics when she was only 15, and 15 IPC Swimming World Championships medals.
Meyers retires as the World Record holder in the S13 200 free (2:07.64); S12 and S13 400 free (4:22.34 and 4:19.59, respectively); S12 and S13 800 free (9:13.31 and 9:32.05, respectively); S12 and S13 1500 free (17:27.36 and 17:53.90, respectively); S12 200 fly (2:29.86); SM12 200 IM (2:24.56); and SM12 400 IM (5:17.81). The oldest of those records, the 400 IM, was set in 2006 when she was only 12 years old.
Meyers was born with Usher syndrome and has been deaf since birth, and has progressively lost her vision as the result of a disease called retinitis pigmentosa.
Meyers has trained with some of the United States’ elite programs, including the North Baltimore Aquatic Club while Michael Phelps trained there, and at NCAP under Katie Ledecky’s former coach Bruce Gemmell.
Meyers’ retirement post received messages of support from some of the world’s greatest swimmers, both in the Paralympic and Olympic spheres, including Great Britain’s Ellie Simmonds, Canada’s Aurelie Rivard, and Americans Katie Ledecky, Abbey Weitzeil, and Torri Huske.
Meyers’ full letter to herself:
Dear 6 year old Becca,
Don’t worry. Your disabilities won’t hold you back from achieving your dreams. Swimming will bring you happiness in ways you can’t even begin to imagine. You will start by winning first place at this summer’s ‘mini meet’ and amazingly go on to securing a 6th place finish @ 2016 NCAA DIII Championships. Not only that, you will win multiple gold medals and break numerous world records. You even win 2 ESPYS and secure a sponsorship with the world renowned swimsuit company @speedousa & @speedo . You truly do it all.
As you turn the page to the next chapter of your life, be sure to cherish your memories of laughter, tears, hard work, happiness, adventures and lessons that the sport of swimming has given you. ❤️
I would like to take this moment to say thank you to all of my coaches, family, friends, my sponsor @speedousa and everyone else who has helped me achieve all my dreams and goals throughout my swimming journey.
The black line will always have a special place in my heart❤️.
I wonder what’s next…? 😉
Love, Becca ❤️
Wish her career didn’t have to end on this note, but I wish her nothing but the best in retirement.
Read, “SWIMMER BECCA MEYERS IS ALSO A DEAFLYMPIAN; THEY DON’T GET ENOUGH RESPECT“
Read, “SWIMMER BECCA MEYERS IS ALSO A DEAFLYMPIAN; THEY DON’T GET ENOUGH RESPECT“