Sullivan Calls Time on Illustrious Career

Published On: 16 July 2014
Eamon Sullivan will go down as one of Western Australia's swimming greats

Western Australian swimming icon Eamon Sullivan has called time on a decorated career that has seen him represent Australia at three Olympic Games, after succumbing to a shoulder complaint that forced him to withdraw from this year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

As one of the finest sprint swimmers this state and country has ever produced, Sullivan will leave a lasting legacy on the sport, having first represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 28 year-old went on to win dual silver medals and a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games, before also competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Sullivan won world championship titles as a member of the Australian 4x100m medley (Melbourne 2007) and 4x100m freestyle (Shanghai 2011) teams, and held world records in both the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle events at different stages of his illustrious career.

Sullivan’s success was achieved against a career beset by injury setbacks, most notably, hip and shoulder complaints, with the latter forcing him to withdraw from the 2014 Australian Commonwealth Games team, in what would been a third Commonwealth campaign.

As one of Australia’s most recognisable athletes, Sullivan has also made a name for himself outside of the pool, having won the celebrity series of Master Chef in 2009, and enjoyed subsequent success as a part owner of two popular Perth establishments.

WAIS Performance Team Director for Technical Sports Michael Broadbridge commended Sullivan on a significant career that saw him medal at every major level of international competition.

“Eamon has had an outstanding career and retires from the sport with a remarkable record of achievements. While I have no doubt he could continue to produce world class performances if fully fit, his battle with injury has finally taken its toll. WAIS would like to congratulate Eamon and wish him the very best for his career outside the pool,” he said.

  

Achievements:

Olympian: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012

Olympic Silver: 100m Freestyle (Beijing 2008), 4x100m Medley Relay (Beijing 2008)

Olympic Bronze: 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Beijing 2008)

World Records: 50m Freestyle (21.56), 50m Freestyle (21.41), 50m Freestyle (21.28), 100m Freestyle (47.24), 100m Freestyle (47.05)

FINA World Championship Gold: 4x100m Medley Relay (Melbourne 2007), 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Shanghai 2011)

FINA World Championship Bronze: 100m Freestyle (Melbourne 2007)

Commonwealth Gold: 4x100m Medley Relay (Melbourne 2006), 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Delhi 2010), 4x100m Medley Relay (Delhi 2010)

Commonwealth Silver: 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Melbourne 2006)

Commonwealth Bronze: 100m Freestyle (Delhi 2010)