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Michael Jamieson Announces Retirement As Olympic Silver Medalist Battles Depression

By Hannah Grace | Update Date: Feb 27, 2017 08:56 AM EST

Olympic silver medallist Michael Jamieson announces his retirement from swimming as he battles from depression. The famous swimmer said that his brutal training regime has led him to his mental health condition today.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Michael Jamieson talks about his depression way back in 2013. He has deeply struggled to maintain his status on the Olympic podium but found his body injured. His training routine included 115 to 120 kilometers per week. In his group of eight, he was the only one to make it to the top.

According to Michael Jamieson, there are weeks that he could not go out because of depression. He was living on a diet of anti-depressants and sleeping pills. His behaviour was becoming destructive/ He was not speaking to anyone and he found himself closed off.

The last race that Michael Jamieson competed was in 2016 British Championships and Olympic Trials. He finished 7th place in the 100 breaststroke. After the competition, he said that he might retire but that he was not done with the sports - two contrasting statement that left the fans confused.

Michael Jamieson had landed in the international podium six times. However, the Olympic medallist never landed a gold medal at a major continental or global senior competition.

In 2012, Michael Jamieson was taken to the hospital after he suffered from arrhythmia. He was feeling utterly dead on his feet after the training. He was physically as well as mentally tired.

Michael Jamieson started to ask questions like "what am I doing here?" After 20 years of work, all he has to show is a medal. He was beginning to ask for meaning.  When he started asking whose lives he is enriching by what he is doing, he knew that he needed to get some help for depressin.

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