Ryan Lochte to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Lochte fans. Speculation had been rife that six-time Olympic swimming champion will announce his retirement from sports, at age 41, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 23/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an athlete isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an athlete just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouRyan

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouRyan was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouRyan.”
— @DesireePlum, 22 Mar 2026

“Lochte wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 22 Mar 2026

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