Nocher announces her retirement

Swimming: Swimmer Melanie Nocher who competed for Ireland at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games has announced her retirement from…

Swimming:Swimmer Melanie Nocher who competed for Ireland at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games has announced her retirement from international competition.

The Northern Ireland woman and won a bronze medal at the 2011 European Short Course Championships. The 24 year old announced her decision on her website pointing out in explaining her decision that it was time to ‘move on to other challenges.’

She added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. I can promise I will remember everyone who has helped me. I would like to thank Swim Ulster and Swim Ireland for all the coaching and support they have provided in and out of the pool. Thank you also to the Irish Sports Council and Sport Council Northern Ireland for financially helping me, ensuring I could live as an elite athlete to train full time and compete at my best.”

The 200 metre backstroke specialist won a host of Irish titles but her career ended on a disappointing note when a stomach bug compromised her ambition at the London Olympics. She was five seconds outside her personal best and it was in marked contrast to the fifth place in the European Long course championships two months earlier when finished fifth, her time guaranteeing her a place in London.