After a decorated career spanning nearly two decades, Madison Wilson has announced her retirement from competitive swimming. A dual Olympic gold medalist and a key figure of Australia’s world-beating relay teams, Wilson has been a force in the pool, leaving an indelible mark on both national and South Australian swimming.
Since joining Marion Swimming Club in 2018, Wilson trained under Peter Bishop as part of the South Australian Sports Institute swimming program, where she redefined her career and became a leader on the Australian Dolphins team. Her time in Adelaide saw her return to the top of world swimming, adding to her collection of Olympic, World Championship, and Commonwealth Games medals.
“It’s hard to put into words what this sport has given me,” Wilson shared in her retirement announcement. “Swimming has been my identity for most of my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I hope I’ve been able to inspire the next generation the way I was inspired as a kid.”
Wilson, 30, represented Australia at two Olympic Games, winning gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, along with silver and bronze in medley and freestyle relay events. She played a crucial role in Australia’s dominance in international competition, securing:
- 24 World Championship medals, including 11 golds, almost exclusively in relays.
- Four Commonwealth Games gold medals, including world-record-breaking performances in Birmingham 2022.
- Six world records as part of Australia’s relay teams.
- Induction into the SwimmingSA Hall of Fame in 2022.
Her success extended beyond the pool. A respected team leader within the Australian squad, Wilson was instrumental in mentoring younger athletes and fostering a team culture that delivered historic results. Her contributions were recognised when she was named SASI Female Athlete of the Year in 2021.
Wilson’s move to Marion Swimming Club in 2018 marked a turning point in her career. After missing selection for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she relocated to Adelaide to train under Peter Bishop, rebuilding her confidence and rediscovering the form that made her one of the world’s best. The transition led to standout performances at the Tokyo Olympics and multiple World Championships, proving her resilience and ability to adapt.
Joining SASI and working with Bish (Peter Bishop) was one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Wilson said in a 2022 interview. “The support I received here gave me the belief to keep pushing and achieve things I didn’t think were possible.
Wilson’s retirement brings to an end a career that helped put South Australian swimming on the national and international map. While she steps away from competition, her impact on the sport will continue through the next generation of swimmers she has inspired and mentored.
On behalf of SwimmingSA, and the entire South Australian swimming community, we congratulate Madison Wilson on an outstanding career and wish her the very best for what comes next.
