22yo Delfina Pignatiello announced her retirement on Instagram. Will keep swimming but not at competitions. Wants to focus on other things out of the pool.
A real shame. She is a 2x world junior champion, 2x YOG medalist and 3x pan american champion, multiple SA record holder as well. She was probably our best talent of the last few years sport by sport. But she didn't cope well with the pressure, the hate on social media and an extended quarantine that hurt her preparation for the Olympics. IMO also made some questionable decisions, like not going to the NCAA to stay home or changing her long time coach. Hope she makes a comeback in a few years, but she seems happier with her other activities.