In a move that surprised the sporting world, Australian swimming sensation Ariarne Titmus has officially hung up her goggles. The four-time Olympic champion, who is the reigning gold medalist in the women's 400-metre freestyle from the 2024 Games, declared her retirement from professional swimming in October 2025 at the age of 25.
A New Chapter: Prioritizing Personal Life Over the Pool
While fans hoped for another Olympic cycle, Titmus decided to step away from the relentless competitive scene. She is now embracing a life she often missed, spending quality time with friends and family. A significant part of this new chapter is her relationship with boyfriend Mack Powell, which she made public in January 2025. The couple, frequently spotted on romantic outings from hot air balloon rides to beach days, is enjoying their time together post-retirement.
Titmus first met Powell, an investment analyst, after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She credits him for opening her eyes to a world beyond the swimming lanes. In a heartfelt interview with Stellar Magazine, she revealed how he supported her monumental decision to retire. "I met my partner right after the Olympics, and I wasn’t willing to return to the life I’d always known," Titmus confessed, highlighting the selfish nature required of top athletes.
Mack Powell: The Grounding Force Behind the Champion
Mack Powell has been described as a grounding presence in Ariarne Titmus' life. Preferring to stay out of the limelight, Powell played a pivotal role in helping the champion reassess her priorities. Titmus acknowledged that he showed her she had a vibrant life waiting beyond the pool's edge.
Her retirement marks a conscious shift from a regimented life dedicated solely to training and competition. She reflected on missing countless birthdays, Christmases, and Easters with loved ones. Now, she is determined to put herself and her family first, a luxury her grueling schedule never allowed.
Looking Ahead: Melbourne Move and Wedding Rumours
Ariarne Titmus leaves behind an extraordinary legacy with eight Olympic medals from the 2020 and 2024 Games, including two golds from Tokyo. She announced her decision through a poignant letter to her younger self, expressing fulfillment and excitement for the future.
Rumours suggest that the champion, originally based in Queensland, has relocated to Melbourne to be closer to Powell, who is based there. The city also hosts some of her friends and family, offering a perfect setting for her new, slower-paced life. While the couple has been tight-lipped, their growing closeness has sparked rumours of an impending wedding, adding to the excitement of Titmus's post-swimming journey.
As she trades the starting blocks for simple pleasures, Ariarne Titmus's story becomes an inspiring tale of an athlete choosing personal happiness at the peak of her career, guided by love and a desire for a balanced life.
