Two-time Olympian Aaron Royle has announced his retirement from the sport.
The Australian was ninth in his first Olympics in Rio in 2016 behind Alistair and Jonny Brownlee and the latter was one of many of his peers who was quick to pay tribute, saying on Instagram: “Congrats mate. What a career. You always enjoyed what you did and did it with a smile on your face. We had some decent breakaways together and enjoyed a lot of miles in Yorkshire together. All the best.”
Royle’s announcement came on the eve of the Noosa Triathlon, an event which he has won three times and says was “the place that helped kickstart it all those years ago”. His final hit out saw him finish 10th – full race report here.
Royle, who is now 35, began racing as a junior nearly 20 years ago and was crowned U23 World Champion in Auckland in 2012.
Plenty of top tier podiums would follow as would a second Olympics at Tokyo in 2021, while in recent years he’s also raced at middle distance on the T100 Triathlon World Tour.
Pride and joy
In a video he posted on Instagram, Royle looked back on his career as he said: “It feels like the right time to announce that I’m going to retire. Tomorrow will be my last race as a professional athlete. Noosa is the place where it kind of kickstarted my career so it feels like the appropriate time.
“It’s been one hell of a journey. I can look back now and be extremely proud of what I’ve achieved over the years.
“I don’t think I could ever have imagined going to an Olympic Games, representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games [he was eighth in Glasgow in 2014] and now recently at the Paralympics [where he guided Sam Harding].
“I love my country and to be able to race for my country since 2008 has been the biggest honour that I could imagine.”
‘A dream come true’
Royle continued: “There are some races that stand out – a top 10 at the Olympics in 2016 is certainly something I’m super proud of.
“Three Noosa titles, a handful of World Series podiums and then more recently I’ve got a lot of joy out of guiding Sam Harding. And I’ll continue to do that but for me the time feels right to step away from my own personal career and start chasing other things that excite me.
“Obviously we can’t do this without the support I’ve had along the way. My parents from day one, they quite literally took me around the country chasing my dreams.
“Numerous coaches along the way have helped shape me, sponsors too who have invested and believed in me.
“Most importantly I’ve met my wife (fellow pro Non Stanford] through this sport. It’s taken us to amazing places and being able to share this together has been a dream come true.”
And ahead of Royle’s last race at Noosa, the recently-crowned world champion and fellow Aussie Matt Hauser paid a lovely tribute too, saying: “Will be an honour to line up with ya mate, you should be so proud of everything you have achieved and done for this sport in Aus and will continue to do!!
“From asking you for a photo as a young fan here in Noosa 2013/14, to now having the privilege of racing you in your last individual triathlon. First beer is on me at the surfy 🍺🍻”
