“Age is just a number,” remarked Gabrielle Rose, the oldest swimmer at the US Olympic Trials, held at the Lucas Oil NFL stadium in Indiana. After nearly a decade of retirement, Rose made a comeback to competitive swimming. Walking from poolside to speak with reporters, she was visibly emotional, having posted the best race times of her career in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke events. Her performances surpassed those of athletes half her age, propelling her to the semi-finals.

Regarding her performance that defied age, Rose commented, “It’s just a really, really special feeling to be embraced by so many.” Although she didn’t qualify for the Paris team, Rose’s presence left a lasting impression. Outside the pool, she continues to advance her father’s vision for the Rose Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee, balancing her dedication to community initiatives with intense training. Her comeback highlighted her enduring passion, skill, and commitment to both sports and community initiatives.

Gabrielle Rose reflects on her shifted responsibilities at the swim trials

In a recent NPR Sports interview on June 24, 2024, Rose reflected on her journey and changing priorities after winning the 100-meter breaststroke qualifiers as the oldest competitor in the Indiana trials. The seasoned athlete discussed how her life has transformed, especially since becoming a mother. “I feel like a different person. I’m a mom; I have other things going on, a different perspective on life, appreciating it, and having more fun than ever,” Rose said.

She explained that motherhood has given her a renewed sense of purpose and a broader outlook. Her priorities have shifted, focusing more on enjoying the process and experiences than just the outcomes. The victory came after 13 months of intense training. Though she did not qualify for the final swim team heading to Paris, Rose does not have any regrets. Having her daughter Annie and the audience cheering for her was enough for the 46-year-old veteran.

She is now eager to return to her “real life,” parenting her 9-year-old daughter and coaching rising swimmers in California at Alpha Aquatics. Balancing her passion for swimming with family life has brought her unique satisfaction and joy. During the trials, Gabrielle swam a personal best of 1:08.43 in the 100-meter breaststroke. She was the oldest of nearly 1000 athletes and is a beacon of hope for every middle-aged athlete ever. 

USA Swimming congratulated her, saying, “What a swim from Gabrielle Rose! The 46-year-old, who is the oldest competitor at #SwimTrials24, just won her 100-meter breaststroke heat in 1:08.43 and will advance to tonight’s semifinals.”

Even her brother Matthew expressed how happy their father would have been to see his daughter’s success. “He would have gotten a total kick out of this,” Matthew Rose, who is an elite-level triathlon coach with Dynamo Multisport in Atlanta, said. “He supported us and encouraged us in everything we did.” Her face after the race, which was a mix of tears and smiles, truly says it all. 

Gabrielle Rose’s plans and aspirations

Gabrielle Rose’s future plans and aspirations became clear when she was asked about her increased training efforts and improved performance in the water. Matthew called her and asked, “Are you trying to make trials?” To which she sheepishly replied, “Yeah. I really want to make it.” Rose’s Olympic journey began when she represented Brazil in the 1996 Games, achieving notable finishes in the 100m fly, 200m IM, and 100m freestyle. She later competed for the USA in Sydney, securing 7th place in the 200 m IM.

Her swimming career started at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, where she set impressive records, including 1:50.61 in the 200-meter freestyle and 29.15 in the 50-meter breaststroke. At the 2003 Calif-Nev Spring Speedo Championship series, she clocked times of 1:01.96 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 2:01.19 in the 200-yard individual medley, earning 22 All-American titles and three NCAA championships. This year’s semi-final finish at the trials is just a top-up on Gabrielle Rose’s already successful career.