LEE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM SWIMMING
Commonwealth gold medallist Georgina Lee is retiring from
swimming following a nine-year international career that also
delivered European honours.
The 23-year-old Camp Hill Edwardians swimmer won a Commonwealth
gold in 2002 as part of the English 4x200m Freestyle relay
squad. She added a bronze as part of the 4x100m Medley Relay
team and individually took the silver in the 200m Butterfly.
In 2001 she won bronze in the same event at the European SC
Championships.
The West Midlands swimmer's decision to retire is a culmination
of elements but she is in no doubt the time is right for her
to part ways with the sport she's been involved with all her
life.
"Many things collectively have lead to my decision to
retire. I've been injured recently with a bulging disc in
my back that's been a big factor. I've not been able to train
these last few months as I would have liked.
"I graduated in December and a career now features more
prominently in my long term plans as I'm motivated to take
what I've learnt and define a future for myself.
"Following the Athens Olympics I had to consider my
future with swimming as I didn't perform to my expectations
and I found it very demoralising. There were matters beyond
my control that didn't help me and left me disappointed."
Lee gained a degree in economics with financial applications
from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas
and is already using what she's spent the past few years studying
for.
"I'm becoming very excited about using the knowledge
I've gained and am looking to pursue a career in financial
consulting. It got to the stage where it was overtaking the
excitement I feel for swimming which I've had for a very long
time."
The British Record holder over the 100m and 100m Butterfly
events leaves the sport happy with what she's achieved.
"As a swimmer you're always setting further goals for
yourself. When you achieve one you set yourself another so
you never achieve all your goals.
"Standing back to look at my career, I've been to two
Olympics, have broken many British Records, I've medalled
at major international meets and therefore I feel I've achieved
a great deal.
"I'm delighted with my career. But it's not always about
the swimming, you learn so many things that follow you in
life."
Lee spent most of her career under the guidance of coach
Gerry Thain who won an MBE for services to swimming in 2003.
"Gerry has been a great coach. He's so good at every
aspect whether it's technique, skill or training but he also
encouraged me to continue my education and to get involved
in other activities as it makes you a more rounded individual.
"When I went to SMU, where I was trained with another
great coach in Steve Collins, Gerry was always there in the
background supporting me and being a mentor. Encouraging me
along the way."
After so long competing against the best in the world, Lee
is certainly going to miss aspects of the sport but she wants
to take some of the elements to apply them to her career.
"I'm going to miss the racing and competition. You know
you're never going to get that feeling again when that competitive
edge you've relied on in sport comes through.
"When you finish you've won or lost. It's all ups and
downs. It's a roller coaster and you're constantly working
towards the next crest or fall.
"Only a certain kind of person can cope with that and
I'm going to miss the thrill of racing but there will be things
I will take with me into my career."
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