The 2024 Australian Olympic Trials continued as Minna Atherton announced her retirement from competitive swimming. At 24 years old, Atherton made her decision known on Instagram after failing to qualify for the upcoming Games in Paris. In Brisbane, she placed 8th in the 100m back and 6th in the 200m back, with lifetime bests of 58.60 and 2:06.82 respectively from 2019. During the 2019 International Swimming League season, Atherton set a world record in the women’s SCM 100 back and narrowly missed the all-time mark in the 200 back.
Atherton is a 3-time long course World Championships medalist and 3-time short course World Championships medalist. In her social media post, she expressed gratitude for the opportunities swimming has given her, from scholarships to Bond University to traveling the world and forming lifelong friendships. Over her 13-year career, she has achieved significant milestones, including representing Australia at two Commonwealth Games and breaking a world record at the ISL.
Atherton thanked everyone who has been part of her journey and supported her mentally and physically throughout the years. Despite the challenges she faced, she expressed excitement for the adventures that lie ahead in life beyond swimming.