After more than a decade at the top, breaststroke icon Lily King says her final lap is just ahead.
The 28-year-old, widely regarded as one of the most dominant swimmers of her generation, confirmed that 2025 will mark the end of her competitive career. King had previously hinted at her departure, especially with no intention to train for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. But now, it’s official—this summer’s World Championships in Singapore will likely be her swan song.
Despite the surprise addition of the 50-meter breaststroke to the Olympic program, a move that theoretically favored her, King remains firm: she’s stepping away.
From Indiana Roots to Swimming Royalty
Before she set foot on a college campus, Lily King was already making waves.
At just 16, she claimed a junior national title in the 100-yard breaststroke. Not just that—she set a new National Age Group record. Her star was rising, and fast. At the 2014 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, King didn’t just win the 100-meter breaststroke; she shattered the meet record. Her relay team wasn’t far behind, grabbing gold and etching a new record in the 4×100 medley.
Then came the 2015 World University Games. Though she didn’t clinch gold, finishing runner-up in the 100-meter breaststroke was a clear signal: King was coming.
One year later, she was smashing NCAA records as a freshman at Indiana University.
Dominance in the NCAA: Records and Rivalries
King’s time with the Indiana Hoosiers was nothing short of ridiculous—in the best way possible.
As a freshman in 2016, she blew away the field in the 100-yard breaststroke, clocking 56.85 after already breaking the record in prelims. She didn’t stop there. In the 200-yard breaststroke? Another title. Another record.
In 2017, she defended both NCAA titles. More records. By 2018, she had lowered the American marks to 56.25 (100) and 2:02.60 (200). She even became the first woman to dip under 2:03 in the 200-yard breaststroke.
2019 was the cherry on top.
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King set new NCAA, U.S. Open, and American records in the 100-yard breaststroke at 55.88—still the NCAA record today.
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She grabbed another 200-yard title with 2:02.90.
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Her unbeaten streak in the 100 breaststroke—across yards and meters—lasted five years, from 2016 through 2021.
Her stats were mind-boggling. Her attitude? Fearless.
The Olympic Stage: A Star Is Born in Rio
Rio de Janeiro. 2016. This was where Lily King really introduced herself to the world.
She didn’t just win gold in the 100-meter breaststroke. She broke the Olympic record. That race—and her fierce finger wag aimed at a rival suspended for doping—made headlines everywhere. King wasn’t just winning races; she was rewriting rules and shaking up swimming’s culture.
She returned home with another gold from the 4×100 medley relay.
In Tokyo 2021, she kept her podium streak alive:
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Silver in the 200-meter breaststroke
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Silver in the 4×100 medley
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Bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke
And in Paris 2024? She helped the U.S. secure another medley relay gold.
She came fourth in the 100 and eighth in the 200, but her leadership on the team remained unmatched.
By then, she had tallied:
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Three Olympic golds
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Six Olympic medals total
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A world record in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:04.13, Budapest 2017)
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27 World Championship medals, including 18 golds
No fluff—just facts. That’s legacy material.
Last Splash in Singapore: 2025 World Championships on the Horizon
King isn’t quietly fading away. She’s leaving the pool the same way she entered it—on top.
At the 2025 U.S. National Championships, she clocked 29.88 in the 50-meter breaststroke to take first. She also placed second in the 100 with 1:06.02. That meet in Indianapolis, her home turf, was her final race on American soil.
All eyes now turn to Singapore, where she’ll likely compete in her last-ever international meet.
One sentence is enough here: this is her goodbye tour.
Beyond the Lane Lines: What’s Next for the Queen of Breaststroke?
As the finish line approaches, fans wonder what Lily King will do next. She hasn’t made any public announcements about coaching or broadcasting. But knowing King, whatever she picks will come with fire.
And let’s be real—this isn’t the type of athlete who disappears into the background.
A table showcasing her major career achievements highlights just how much she’s given to the sport:
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Olympic Appearances | 3 (2016, 2021, 2024) |
| Olympic Medals | 6 (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze) |
| World Championships | 27 medals (18 Gold) |
| NCAA Titles | Multiple (2016–2019) |
| World Records | 100m Breaststroke (LC), 4×100 Medley Relay (LC + SC) |
And no, her records aren’t just impressive—they’re history.
One of a Kind, and Never Shy
King’s reputation wasn’t just about wins and records. She brought boldness and honesty to a sport that often plays it safe.
Remember when she publicly criticized the IOC for allowing dopers to compete? Or her open embrace of rival-turned-teammate Yulia Efimova after years of controversy? That’s growth. That’s sportsmanship. And that’s King.
She didn’t just swim. She stood for something.
No Farewell Tour, Just a Final Curtain
There’s no Hollywood-style sendoff planned. No primetime documentary. No gold-tinted goggles to auction off.
King will swim in Singapore, maybe win another medal or two, then step out of the pool like it’s just another Tuesday.
But it won’t be. Not for her fans. Not for the sport.
Because when Lily King walks away, an era goes with her.
