Three-time Olympian Brianna Throssell is stepping into a new chapter after announcing her retirement on Sunday, bringing to a close a remarkable swimming career that began in Western Australia and left a lasting impact on the community. Her journey has inspired countless athletes and will continue to inspire for years to come.
Throssell’s swimming journey began at an early age, driven by her love for the water. Growing up in Perth, she identified herself as a “water baby,” spending endless hours at the beach and pool. It was in these environments that she discovered her passion for swimming, which was nurtured through early lessons and an innate drive to push herself further.
Her competitive swimming career truly took off when she started training under her first coach, Brett Tongue, at Kalamunda District Swimming Club.
“I coached Brianna from ages 9 to 13,” said Tongue. “She showed early on that she was very determined to succeed in anything she did. Swimming seemed to win over all other sports and activities during this period. She trained at a very high level and enjoyed the challenge of her teammates at training.”
“Brianna’s biggest strength was that she always committed to all her races. Never beaten until she hit the wall. Her biggest weakness was not a good joke teller, especially in the mornings!”
One of the most memorable moments for Tongue came at a State Relay event, where Throssell made an incredible comeback, powering from 20 meters behind to secure the win for her team. Another key moment was her breakthrough performance at the 2009 South Australian State Championships, where, at 12-years-old, she defeated members of the Japanese squad. “It was here that she first caught the attention of Swimming Australia,” said Tongue.
Reflecting on her career, Throssell said, “there are so many moments from my time in WA that stand out.”
“One that stands out is when I qualified for my first international team, going to the Junior World Championships in Peru. It was a huge step in my career and showed me what was possible.
“Another big moment was competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics; it was a dream come true and something I had worked towards for so long. But beyond the big competitions, some of my best memories come from the daily grind, training with an amazing group of swimmers in WA and just enjoying the process.
“Training in WA built so much resilience in me. We’re pretty isolated compared to the eastern states, so we often had to travel long distances for competitions, which helped me get used to competing in different environments. The coaches and support staff in WA also played a huge role in my development, helping me build strong fundamentals and a great work ethic.
“The culture of swimming in WA is really special. We might be a smaller state in terms of numbers, but we’ve always had a strong presence on the national and international stage.
“The WA swimming community has been incredible. From my early years at Perth City to the support I’ve received from Swimming WA and the wider sports community, I’ve always felt a strong sense of encouragement. Whether it was local clubs, coaches, teammates, or even younger swimmers looking up to me, I’ve been lucky to have such a great network backing me. That support meant the world, especially during the tough times.
“It reminded me that I wasn’t just swimming for myself but for everyone who had been part of my journey.”
Throssell’s crowning achievement came at the Tokyo Games, where she was part of the Australian 4x200m freestyle relay team that earned an Olympic bronze medal. “Winning my first Olympic medal was an incredible moment,” she says.
Brianna capped off her remarkable Dolphins career with an Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay, this time standing on the podium in front of a global audience.
“It’s something every athlete dreams of, and to achieve that with an amazing group of women was so special,” Throssell says. “But I’m also proud of the journey, sticking with the sport for over 12 years as a Dolphin, giving absolutely everything to my career, and always pushing myself to be better.”
Throughout Throssell’s career, Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting have been incredibly supportive. “A very special thank you to Mrs Gina Rinehart for your generosity and unwavering support. Your belief in our sport and its athletes has made an incredible difference and I am truly grateful.”
The 29-year-old has started a new chapter, joining Deloitte’s Mergers and Acquisitions team in Melbourne.
Throssell leaves behind not only Olympic medals and records but also a long-lasting legacy that has made a big impact on the swimming community in WA and across Australia.
