Chantalle Zijderveld announces retirement from Para swimming

Three-time Paralympic champion Chantalle Zijderveld announced she is retiring from Para swimming. The 24-year-old Dutch swimmer posted the news on social media on Monday (9 December). 

The Rotterdam-born athlete announced her retirement three years ago after the Tokyo Paralympics, but reversed her decision in 2022 and began working towards the Paris 2024 Games.

Chantalle Zijderveld’s social media statement read:

“It’s time to hang up my goggles.  Seventeen years ago I became a swimmer, and man what a journey it’s been. From going to my first World Championships as a 12-year old, to 14 Paralympic, World and European titles and even more international career medals.

The decision to retire was a tough one, but finally taking the time to look back and take some time off made me realize that I’m incredibly proud of myself and everything I achieved in my career, it just took a while to sink in. With that, I also finally found peace to close things off in a good way.

After Tokyo life was a bit turbulent. I retired, made a comeback, overcame mental health issues and a hip surgery. But, in the end Paris was everything I needed and wanted to close things off. Celebrating a gold medal with friends and family, while being in a healthy environment, was an absolute dream coming true.

I’m honoured to have had such amazing people in my career and would like to thank not only my friends and family, but also the team, Bram + staff and my international friends - as swimming gave me more than just medals 🫶🏼

Swimming will always have a special place in my heart, but I’m ready to let go 🤍

Love, Chantalle”

BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPION ALSO IN THE WOMEN'S EVENT!

🇳🇱 Chantalle Zijderveld repeats her golden performance from #Tokyo2020 and grabs the gold medal now in the women's 100m breaststroke SB9 at #Paris2024.

🥈 Meng Zhang 🇨🇳
🥉 Lisa Kruger 🇳🇱#Paralympics #ParaSport pic.twitter.com/Hx6Kad4dN2

— Para Swimming (@Para_swimming) August 30, 2024

Zijderveld began swimming at the age of six in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands. Then was inspired to compete at an elite level in Para swimming after volunteering at the 2010 World Championships in Eindhoven. Four years later, she returned to the Dutch city to compete and became European champion in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB9.

The Dutch made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 taking a bronze medal in the same event. In total, she collected eight Paralympic medals and six World Championships medals. 

Chantalle Zijderveld’s major championships medals:

Paralympic Games

Gold

Paris 2024: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9

Tokyo 2020: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9 and 200m individual medley SM10

Silver

Paris 2024: mixed 4x100m medley relay - 34 Points

Tokyo 2020: women’s 50m freestyle S10 and 100m freestyle S10

Bronze

Tokyo 2020: women’s 100m butterfly S10

Rio 2016: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9

World Championships

Gold

Manchester 2023: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9

London 2019: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9 and 200m individual medley SM10

Glasgow 2015: women’s 100m breaststroke SB9

Silver

London 2019: women’s 100m freestyle S10

Bronze

London 2019: women’s 50m freestyle