SCOTCHER EXITS ON A HIGH WITH RELAY GOLD
England's Commonwealth gold medallist Alex Scotcher has called
time on his career in swimming.
The 26-year-old, based at Loughborough University, was part
of England's victorious 4x200m Freestyle team at the Melbourne
Commonwealth Games.
Scotcher's decision to retire comes two years after the disappointment
of not making the Athens Olympic Games but from this set back
he took the drive and determination to make it to the Commonwealth
Games.
"Not making the team for the Athens Olympics was heart-breaking.
After that I had to sit down to decide where my future was
in the sport. I wanted to bounce back and the months following
the Olympics were all about making the squad for the Commonwealths
and wanting to leave the sport on a high," explained
Scotcher.
England's relay triumph in Melbourne is the pinnacle of Scotcher's
career. In 2003 he was a member of the World Championship
squad and has been a holder of two British relay records.
A member of the British squad for the past six years, Scotcher
decided that new challenges now await him.
"I'm really excited about the future. I have finished
my Masters in European Politics and I graduate in July. I
may stay working in the sport with Steve Parry through Total
Swimming, which is a great initiative," said Scotcher.
"Swimming has given me some fantastic opportunities
and I can retire knowing that I have given my all to a sport
which has given me so much in return. There are some fantastic
swimmers coming through the ranks and I wish them every luck
in the future."
Scotcher spent most of his swimming career under the guidance
of Loughborough coaches Ian Turner and Ian Armiger.
After six years of competing against the best in the world,
Scotcher is certainly going to miss the sport but he will
take elements to apply to his career.
"Swimming is a sport which gives you immense focus and
determination to succeed and hopefully I'll be able to direct
that into my future job, whatever that may be.
"I have made some really good friends through the sport
and I will miss the Loughborough squad but the time is right
for me to start a new chapter in my life," said Scotcher.
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