Spanish Olympian Carlos Garach Taking Hiatus to Pursue Military Career
Spanish distance swimmer Carlos Garach is taking a break from swimming to pursue a military career.
Garach made the announcement on social media. He represented Spain at the 2024 Olympics in Paris and holds national records in the 400 freestyle and 1,500 free.
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Garach’s statement reads in part:
Today I’m making official a decision I’ve been thinking about for several months. It hasn’t been an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right one right now.
Garach also thanked his club, CN Churriana, as “a refuge when everything was falling apart” as well as teammate, his family and sponsors. He ended it with a message of, “see you soon.”
Garach, 20, qualified for the Paris Olympics in 800 free, 1,500 free and open water. He finished 18th and 22nd in the two pool events and didn’t finish the 10k in the River Seine. He took part in both World Aquatics Championships last year, finishing 15th in the 800 and 19th in the 1,500 in Doha in February. He first represented Spain at the 2021 European Short-Course Championships, then the following year at the World Championships in Budapest.
Garach’s biggest international achievement came in 2022, when he won gold in the 800 free and in the 1,500 free at the World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru.