Olympic bronze medallist and former 400m Freestyle World Record holder
Joanne Jackson has retired from competitive swimming.
Jackson, who won the bronze medal in the 400m Freestyle at the Beijing
Olympics in 2008, broke the World Record en route to the qualifying for
the 2009 World Championships where she won the silver medal. She also
picked up the silver in the 800m and the bronze in the 4 x 200m Relay.
The Loughborough ITC swimmer made her Olympic debut in Athens as a
17-year-old before making her international breakthrough in 2006 winning
silver medals at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
She remains the British Record holder in the 200m and 400m Freestyle.
Michael Scott, British Swimming National Performance Director praised
the swimmer for her achievements and dedication to the sport.
"To be a three-time Olympian, an Olympic, World, European and
Commonwealth medallist, and to have set a World Record over 400m
Freestyle in 2009 are all outstanding achievements.
"On behalf of all at British Swimming, I would like to wish Jo all the
best in her new endeavours."
Jo commented, "I feel so lucky to have been able to compete to an
international for so many years and to have been to three Olympic Games.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way."
"I have been fortunate to have some great sponsors who stuck with me
through all the ups and downs. And British Swimming, coaches and the
support team have been awesome. I'm now looking at new opportunities to
start a Swim Academy and begin a brand new career in Events.
