Olympian and NCAA champion Nick Albiero announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
The Brazilian national team member, former U.S. national team member and former Louisville Cardinal made the announcement on social media.
“it is with overwhelming gratitude and a full heart that after 22 years, i announce my retirement from competitive swimming,” Nick Albiero wrote on Instagram. “if you know my family, you know that swimming is more than a sport to us – it’s a shared love and foundation of memories. from growing up on the pool deck watching my parents coach to training and competing alongside my siblings, swimming has been woven into every part of my life. thank you mom and dad for encouraging and supporting me through every stage of my swimming career. thank you stef and gabi for always having my back through every high and low. being able to share this journey with family has been the greatest blessing.”
Albiero has been a part of a swimming family his entire life. His sister Gabi Albiero is a U.S. National Team member and father Arthur Albiero is Louisville’s coach. His mother, Amy, is a former collegiate swimmer as well.
“so many coaches and staff have touched my career – thank you audubon country club, cardinal aquatics, university of louisville, and minas tênis clube. without you all, my dreams would’ve never been possible. and if you supported me or cheered for me in any way throughout my career, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.
Albeiro has competed on all of the world’s biggest stages.
“while i’m proud of what i accomplished in the water, i’m even more grateful for the people i met and the lessons i learned – some that only swimming can teach. the journey was full of unforgettable experiences, tough setbacks, and deep personal growth… i wouldn’t trade a second of it. not many get to say they represented their country on international stages, and i was able to represent not only one country but two. wearing the united states flag on my cap as a junior then competing on the us national team for 3 years was a dream come true. and wearing the brazil flag, something i took so much pride in since i was young, last year on the olympic and world stages was the biggest honor. it was a privilege to compete for both countries, both sides of my family, that make up who i am at my core. i never took those moments for granted,” Nick Albiero wrote. “as i step away from competition, i do so with peace and pride in my heart. swimming will always be a part of me and i’m sure i’ll be back feeling out the water sooner than i think. … on to new challenges in life”
