Triathlon couple Rachel Klamer and Richard Murray have announced their immediate retirements from professional competition as they look to focus on developing the next generation of Dutch athletes.
The married Olympians posted individual messages on their respective Instagram accounts this week, confirming the time had come for them to seek out new challenges in life.
Having met on the professional circuit in 2013, the pair have travelled the globe competing both individually and for their country in careers which saw them grace the Olympic Games in London, Rio, Tokyo, and Paris.
Keen to remain involved with the sport
While their competitive years may now be behind them, the pair remain keen to continue their involvement with the sport and are now doing what they can to pass on their wealth of sporting experience.
Having purchased the historical Austie farm back in 2024, they have already begun the task of breathing new life into the dilapidated 17th-century building situated in the stunning Twente region of the Netherlands.
Their goal is to turn it into a brand new sports and training farm, complete with impressive facilities and cosy accommodation, where they can both assist with training and pass on their extensive knowledge of professional sport to the next generation of swimmers, runners and cyclists.
Rachel wrote on her Instagram: “This time I say goodbye out loud, not just in my head. I don’t know how many times I have thought about how to write this message. How often over the past years I’ve doubted when the end of my career would come, when it would truly feel right, and whether I was really ready to stop my professional career as an athlete.
‘An overwhelming mix of emotions’
“With an overwhelming mix of emotions, from pride and joy to sadness, I say goodbye to my professional career as a triathlete. Proud of everything I have achieved. Happy because I was able to have such an incredibly beautiful career. Sad because it truly hurts to say farewell to it.
“I like to describe it as a fire that once started to burn. A fire that sometimes burnt brightly, sometimes seemed close to going out. A fire that I have learnt can never truly be extinguished. Triathlon has become a part of my life, and it always will be.”
Arguably, her career highlight came in Tokyo when she was part of the Dutch triathlon relay squad, which finished in fourth place, a whisker away from the prized possession of an Olympic medal – a moment she says will ‘never be a disappointment’ to her as she continues to carry a ‘quiet pride’ over the achievement of being the fourth best in the world.
Fourth place was also the best that husband Murray could muster at the Olympics, as he missed out on bronze at Rio in the men’s event by only seven seconds in a race dominated by the Brownlee brothers of Britain.
Battling back from a heart condition
Even when he was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation heart condition, which would require surgery and time out of the sport, he still battled back to line up at the Paris Games, although by this time, he had changed his nationality from South African to Dutch.
“Everything truly worth having in life is worth fighting for, and when you fight for something long enough, it becomes a part of you,” his post read on Instagram. “My career as a professional athlete has been just that. It got me up in the morning, made me happy and pushed me beyond what I thought was physically and mentally possible.
“Triathlon and multisport have given me more over the past 15 years than I could ever have imagined. I’ve experienced emotions across the entire spectrum. Moments of absolute euphoria and moments of deep disappointment, but I consider myself incredibly lucky to have felt it all.
“Deciding to step away from being a professional athlete has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The mind wants to keep going, but the body eventually tells you it’s time. Knowing that my heart no longer functions at 100% has been tough to accept, but something I must respect for the long run.
“A professional athlete only gets 5-10 peak years, and I feel incredibly fortunate that mine were filled with passion, resilience and unforgettable experiences.”
Looking to pass on their wealth of experience
They both rounded off their messages with a nod to the future and their plans with the Austie complex.
Richard explained: “Life is short, and my next project is already taking shape. @theaustie is a dream Rachel and I are bringing to life in the Netherlands. We’re transforming a heritage farm into accommodation, training facilities and a ‘home away from home’ for athletes and active people.
“A place where sport-minded individuals can come together, train, relax and escape the busy part of daily life. Coaching will also be a big part of my future. I’m passionate about working with the next generation, as well as age-group athletes striving to become the best version of themselves.”
While Rachel added: “Space for new dreams. Building another dream I’ve always had: buying an old farmhouse and restoring it. For years, I didn’t know what I wanted to do ‘later’, because there are so many beautiful things I would love to do as well.
“In the coming years, together with Richard, I will create a place where we can share the knowledge and experiences we’ve gained over the past years with others, so everyone can hopefully achieve their own sporting goals with just as much pride and joy.”
She may not be finished just yet
As she signed off, the 35-year-old left a strong hint that she may well be back on the starting line as an amateur at some stage in 2026… but did not reveal which event she had her eye on.
“Triathlon is in me, and that will always remain,” she said. “The Olympic dream I have lived out four times, something I can only be incredibly grateful for. That dream has now come to a close.
“I don’t really have concrete sporting plans for next year yet… Ok, to be honest, that’s not entirely true. There is already one event on the calendar, but there is more about that later.”
