Max Whitlock, Britain’s Most Successful Gymnast, Announces Retirement After Tokyo Olympics

Max Whitlock, Britain’s most successful gymnast, has announced his retirement after the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The 31-year-old athlete, who has won an impressive 32 international medals, including three Olympic gold medals, shared his decision on BBC Breakfast, stating that it “feels right.”

Whitlock’s illustrious career includes three World Championship gold medals, four European Champion gold medals, and four Commonwealth Game gold medals. He made his Olympic debut in London in 2012, where he secured two bronze medals in the team and pommel horse events. In 2016, he clinched his first Olympic gold on the pommel horse in Rio de Janeiro, adding a bronze in the all-around event. Whitlock successfully defended his pommel horse gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The gymnast revealed that his motivation for competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games comes from wanting his daughter, Willow, to witness him in action. Willow, born in 2019, was unable to attend the Tokyo Olympics due to the pandemic restrictions. Whitlock expressed his excitement at the prospect of his daughter being in the crowd in Paris, sharing a special moment with her during his performances.

As Whitlock prepares for his final Olympic Games, he will first compete in the European Championships in Italy in April before the British Olympic gymnastics squad is announced in June. The gymnastics world will bid farewell to a true legend as Whitlock looks to end his career on a high note in Paris, with the support of his biggest inspiration, his daughter Willow.