Geelong Swimming Club legend Phoebe Mitchell retires

One of Geelong’s greatest ever in the water, Phoebe Mitchell broke 74 world records in a spectacular 20-year run in the pool.

Phoebe Mitchell, pictured here in 2017, has hung up her goggles. Picture Jay Town.

One of Geelong’s greatest ever swimmers has hung up her goggles, with champion world record holder Phoebe Mitchell stepping out of the pool and into retirement.

The Geelong Swimming Club legend broke an incredible 74 world records for swimmers with down syndrome during a two-decade career that saw her smash through barriers and emerge as a pioneer in her sport.

Phoebe was a star of the pool. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Mitchell represented Australia across the globe, competing in Portugal, Taiwan, Italy, Mexico and Canada, while always staying loyal to Geelong, having been named club vice-captain in 2010.

The superstar remains the only female athlete with down syndrome to complete the Pier to Pub and has raced the time-honoured Lorne waves eight times.

She still holds 10 open world records and 10 masters world records, according to Geelong Swimming Club.

“I’ve loved being part of the Geelong Swimming Club,” she said.

“I’ve always felt included.

“I’ve made lifelong friends and memories.”

Phoebe takes the Queen’s baton.

Despite her dedication to her sport, Mitchell had to work for progress in swimming, with the S18 category for swimmers with down syndrome not properly introduced until 2021, with Mitchell among the first to race in the category at the 2022 national championships.

Such was Mitchell’s impact on local sport, she was chose to run the final leg in Torquay of the Queen’s Baton Relay before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Mitchell said her favourite strokes were breaststroke and backstroke but “definitely not butterfly”.

She said she was “looking forward to new adventures”.

Originally published as Geelong Swimming Club legend Phoebe Mitchell retires