In a few days of difference, another goodbye of an Olympian. the romanian Robert Glinta He made the surprising decision to end his career as a competitive swimmer: he retired at the age of 25.
The espaldista won gold at the European Swimming Championships in Budapest 2021, but despite being now in his best years being one of the two biggest names in his country, along with David Popovici, he has decided not to continue his career international.
On social media he wrote: “The time has come to take a step back from competitive swimming. Through the ups and downs, this sport has taught me so much and has really grown me into the more evolved human being I am today.”
In 2015, Glinta turned heads by winning the 100m at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Singapore. Already at the senior level, he reached the final in the 2016 European Championships in London, and also in the Olympic definition in Rio 2016, where he finished eighth.
The 2018 Europeans brought his first elite medal, silver in the 50m in Glasgow, and the following year he made it to back-to-back finals at the Gwangju World Championships, where he came seventh in the 50m. and eighth in the 100 m.
By 2021, he became European champion in Budapest in the 100m and finished second in the 50m. That same year he repeated his eighth Olympic place but in Tokyo and achieved his first world medal in 100 m, a bronze in the World Shorts in Abu Dhabi.
Finally, although he added finals in the 2022 World Cups, he suffered a leg injury and his work in the short pool World Cups in Melbourne was not good, which ended up precipitating the decision.
“Whether it be pain or glory, failure or success, suffering or bliss, the amount of responsibility, discipline, dedication, ambition through hard work to achieve a goal and overcome adversity and obstacles, took root. deep inside of me that will stay with me forever,” he continued on Instagram.
“Nada Most of this would have been possible without the people I worked with along the way. Each one of them playing a very important role and leaving an important mark in my career and in my life. To them, I cannot express my gratitude enough.”
“All the beautiful memories and dear friends this path has brought me, the soul connections that go beyond the life of swimming, make me feel like I won so much more than a few medals and trophies along the way. To all friends and fans, I want to thank you for always showing your support and for believing in me no matter the situation. Resources are exhausted and it is time to attend to and take care of my own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, because I am just another human being after all”.