“Loved Sharing The Pool With Ya”: Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Michael Andrew And Other Legends React As US Swimming Icon Announces Retirement At 26

Michael Phelps is the inspiration for most athletes to pursue a career in swimming. Their lofty ambition demonstrates the impact the 28-time Olympic medalist has on the world of swimming. His grit, discipline, consistency, and willingness to challenge himself distinguished him as an elite veteran. Blake Pieroni is one among the swimmers on whom Phelps had a significant impact.

A three-time Olympic gold medallist, Blake Pieroni, announced his retirement on Friday, August 26th, 2022. Wishes and love poured in from across the globe. To announce his retirement, he penned a message on Instagram. It also stated why he picked swimming in the first place. Upon reading that, one will be even more proud of him and Phelps.

He came, he conquered, he left

Blake made his Olympic debut the year Phelps retired in 2016 Rio. Witnessing the icon in the same squad must have been dream come true for him. “My lifetime goal from when I was young watching @m_phelps00 (Michael Phelps) in Beijing was always to be Olympian and I achieved that twice,” he said in his Instagram post.

Blake had a clear vision since childhood. He participated in various school and college level championships and proved his mettle. In Rio 2016, he swam a prelims leg in the American 400 free relay and won gold. At Tokyo Olympics, Pieroni won gold in the 400 m free relay and gold in the 400 medley relay. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the International Team trials earlier this year due to knee surgery.

In the Instagram post announcing his retirement, Blake also added that he had loved the sport all through his life. He expressed gratitude and love for the new friends he met and the opportunities swimming created for him. He added, “However, I don’t feel a burning passion to be the very best that I can be.” 

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As hard as it can be, Blake bid farewell to the sport and thanked all his friends and well-wishers for cheer and encouragement, especially for the support during this tough decision. He has retired with three Olympic gold and 8 World Championship gold medals. 

Michael Phelps shares a heartfelt message

Blake shared his retirement news with an Instagram video post calling it “Big Life Update.” In response to the post, messages poured in from other legendary swimmers across the world recalling their moments together.

Phelps shared the video post in his story on Instagram with a message, “Loved sharing the pool with ya.”

In a warm display of camaraderie, other swimming companions across the globe shared their love too. Katie Ledecky, a professional swimmer with 15 Olympic gold medals and numerous World Championships wrote, “Congrats on a great career Blake!!” 

Michael Andrew, an Olympic gold medallist wrote, “Congrats brother. Will miss traveling, and racing with you.”

Australian swimmer, Mitchell Larkin, wrote, “Congratulations on an awesome career!!” 

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Lydia Jacoby, Annie Lazor, Carson Foster from the US, and Bailey Andison, a Canadian Olympian, to name a few, have shared their support for the swimming icon’s announcement of retirement.  

Although Pieroni has retired from the sport of swimming, he shared that he still loved swimming and hoped to be around in some form in the future.