Triple Olympic Champion Lilly King Bows Out After Final World Title in Singapore
One of the most iconic figures in women’s swimming, Lilly King, has officially announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 28. The American breaststroke legend made her decision public following the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, where she earned her 12th and final world title as part of the 4x100m medley relay.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DM3M44ByKqu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link🥇 A Dominant Force in Breaststroke Since 2016
King burst onto the international stage at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she claimed gold in the 100m breaststroke and helped Team USA secure victory in the 4x100m medley relay. Her fiery competitiveness and signature finger-wag at a doping scandal-ridden rival made her a standout personality in the pool — and an athlete who refused to compromise on clean sport.
She went on to dominate the breaststroke scene for nearly a decade, collecting Olympic and World Championship medals in all breaststroke distances and relays.
🏆 Lilly King’s Major Career Achievements
🏅 Olympic Games:
- 3 Gold Medals:
- 100m Breaststroke (Rio 2016)
- 4x100m Medley Relay (Rio 2016, Paris 2024)
- 2 Silver Medals:
- 200m Breaststroke (Tokyo 2021)
- 4x100m Medley Relay (Tokyo 2021)
- 1 Bronze Medal:
- 100m Breaststroke (Tokyo 2021)
🌍 World Championships:
- 12 World Titles, including:
- 50m Breaststroke (2017, 2019)
- 100m Breaststroke (2017, 2019)
- 200m Breaststroke (2022)
- 4x100m Medley Relay (5 times: 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025)
- 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay (2017, 2022)
- 2 Silver Medals:
- 50m Breaststroke (2023)
- 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay (2019)
🌍 A World Record That Still Stands
Lilly King still holds the world record in the 100m breaststroke, set in 2017 at the World Championships in Budapest. Her blistering time of 1:04.13 remains unbeaten, underlining her enduring impact on the sport.
🏛 Hometown Hero in Indiana
In 2018, King’s hometown of Evansville, Indiana, honored her legacy by naming their newly built aquatic center after her. It was a fitting tribute to an athlete who inspired generations of young swimmers across the U.S.
💬 An Emotional Farewell
The announcement of King’s retirement was accompanied by a tribute video released by USA Swimming, featuring messages from fellow Olympians and teammates. Among them, swimming legend Katie Ledecky left an emotional comment:
“Tell me it’s not true. Ready to lose my voice and cry my eyes out watching you today.”
🔚 End of an Era, Start of a Legacy
Lilly King’s retirement marks the end of one of the most decorated and outspoken careers in modern swimming history. More than just a medal machine, she was a fierce advocate for clean competition and a role model for confidence and resilience.
As King steps away from elite sport, she leaves behind:
- A legacy of dominance in breaststroke
- A lasting world record
- A new generation of swimmers she’s inspired, coached, and challenged
