Year Ender 2024: Rafael Nadal to Emma Mckeon - International Olympians Who Retired After Paris Olympics

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The year 2024 marked a significant milestone in Olympic history, not only for the memorable performances at the Paris Games but also for the departure of numerous esteemed athletes from the competitive arena.

Among them, a distinguished group of 20, consisting of nine men, nine women, and one mixed team, chose this Olympic year to announce their retirements. Each has contributed profoundly to their sport, leaving behind legacies that will undoubtedly influence generations to come.

Among those bidding farewell to their sports were British cycling icon Mark Cavendish, who retired after setting a new record for the most stage wins at the Tour de France in 2024, and Tom Daley, the British diver, who concluded his illustrious career with a silver medal in Paris, his fifth Olympic medal spanning five Games.

Irish boxer Kellie Harrington also chose to retire on top, as Ireland's first female boxer to win gold at two different Olympics, alongside Laura Kenny, Great Britain's most decorated female Olympian in track cycling, who decided to retire before the Paris Games to dedicate more time to her family.

The retirements affected a broad spectrum of sports. Australian swimmer Emma McKeon left the pool as her country's most decorated Olympian, while USA soccer legend Alex Morgan hung up her boots after a career filled with Olympic and FIFA World Cup victories.

Similarly, Rafael Nadal, a titan of the tennis world known for his Olympic and Grand Slam wins, chose to end his playing days post the Paris Games, alongside Andy Murray who also said goodbye to the sport after an emotional final appearance.

Champions Leaving on a High Note

Mijaín López, the Cuban wrestling powerhouse, bid an iconic farewell by winning his fifth Olympic gold in Paris and leaving his shoes on the wrestling mat, a traditional gesture signaling retirement.

Angelique Kerber, the German tennis star and former world number one, also retired after the Paris Olympics, her career highlighted by three Grand Slam victories and an Olympic silver medal in 2016.

The Paris Olympics served as a curtain call for several team sport athletes and pairs as well. Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, the French ice dancing duo who captured gold in Beijing 2022, announced their retirement after a glorious career that boasted Olympic gold and five world titles.

Candace Parker, a trailblazer in women's basketball with two Olympic golds and numerous WNBA accolades, also decided it was time to step away from the game.

In team sports, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, a standout in New Zealand rugby sevens, retired after securing her second Olympic gold in Paris, capping off a dominant career that also saw success in 15-a-side rugby.

Gastón Revol, an Argentine rugby sevens legend, concluded his career following the Paris Olympics, his journey adorned with an Olympic bronze and multiple Pan American Games golds.

Personal Triumphs and Emotional Farewells

Other athletes chose their exit after achieving personal milestones or overcoming significant challenges. Joseph Schooling, Singapore's sole Olympic gold medalist, retired from competitive swimming after his historic win over Michael Phelps in 2016.

Daniel-André Tande, the Norwegian ski jumper, retired after miraculously returning to the sport following a life-threatening crash, and Tatjana Smith, a South African swimmer, concluded her Olympic journey as South Africa's most successful Olympian with four medals.

Japanese figure skater Uno Shoma, known for his Olympic silver and bronze medals, retired after competing against some of the sport's greatest legends. Here is a complete list of International Olympians who bid farewell after Paris Games:

Olympians who retired after Paris Olympics 2024

• Rafael Nadal (Spain) - Tennis
• Andy Murray (Great Britain) - Tennis
• Angelique Kerber (Germany) - Tennis
• Ma Long (China) - Table Tennis
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) - Athletics - Sprinter
• Max Whitlock (Great Britain) - Gymnastics
• Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) - Athletics - Marathon
• Lydia Ko (New Zealand) - Golf
• Mikkel Hansen (Denmark) - Handball
• Tom Daley (Great Britain) - Diving
• Mijaín López (Cuba) - Wrestling
• Emma McKeon (Australia) - Swimming
• Joseph Schooling (Singapore) - Swimming
• Tatjana Smith (South Africa) - Swimming
• Laura Kenny (Great Britain) - Track Cycling
• Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) - Road and Track Cycling
• Alex Morgan (USA) - Football
• Marta (Brazil) - Football
• Gabriella Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron (France) - Figure Skating
• Candace Parker (USA) - Basketball
• Gastón Revol (Argentina) - Rugby Sevens
• Nino Salukvadze (Georgia) - Shooting

These athletes, through their victories, trials, and consistent dedication, have not only shaped the Olympic movement but have also left an unforgettable impact on their respective sports.

Their retirements mark the end of an era, but their achievements and the paths they've carved serve as a lasting source of inspiration for athletes everywhere. Their legacies, characterized by perseverance, resilience, and excellence, will continue to inspire and influence for years to come.