Jennifer Abel retires from diving
Ottawa, November 23, 2021 – After a fifteen-year international career, Jennifer Abel has officially announced her retirement from diving. In an open letter to her younger self, the 30-year-old explained that she will bring her sporting career to a close to focus on a new chapter of her life – one that will see her as a mother.
Two-time Olympic medalist, four-time Commonwealth champion, three-time Pan American Games champion, ten-time FINA World Championship medalists, Jennifer Abel leaves a permanent mark on the history of Canadian and international diving. “Jenn’s innate talent and incredible power were evident even at the earliest stages of her career. In addition to becoming one of the most prolific medal-winners in Canadian diving history, Jenn inspired countless young girls to take on the challenge of diving or to get involved in other high-performance sports. With her infectious personality and positive disposition, she was a tremendous ambassador for Canadian diving. Jenn’s single-minded focus, courage under pressure, and commitment to her sport made her an exceptional role model for all Canadian athletes. We wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors and thank her for her tremendous contributions to Canadian diving and to all Canadian sports”, said Mitch Geller, chief technical officer at Diving Canada.
Jennifer Abel started diving at age 5. Her parents insisted their children practice a sport and she chose diving, following in her brother’s footsteps. She competed at her very first diving competition at age 6 and never looked back. At 16, she became one of the youngest divers in Canadian history to represent the country at the Olympic Games.
Over the course of her career, Jennifer competed in four Olympic Games, five FINA World Championships, three Pan American Games and three Commonwealth Games, as well as countless FINA events to win a total of 130 international medals. In 2019, she became the most decorated Canadian athlete ever at the FINA World Championships with ten medals, smashing the records previously set by Alexandre Despatie and swimmer Ryan Cochrane.
QUOTE FROM JENNIFER ABEL
“I experienced some amazing moments in my career. It is time now to begin a new chapter. With tear-filled eyes and a light heart, I would like to thank all the people who allowed me to have such a fulfilling career: my family, my coaches, my diving partners, my fiancé, my step-daughter, my agent, my therapists and my nutritionist.
My life as an athlete has prepared me for my adult life and now, for my life as a mother-to-be. Today, I know how to forgive myself after failure, where to draw strength in the face of adversity, and the type of energy it takes to succeed.
I want to thank Plongeon Québec and Diving Canada for helping me every step of the way, the Canadian Olympic Committee who made me feel supported until the end, the INS Quebec for providing me with a safe environment to train and an access to all the services I needed. Thanks to all the sponsors who believed in me throughout the years.”
IN NUMBERS
Olympic Games (2 medals)
- Beijing 2008
- London 2012
- Bronze – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- Rio 2016
- Tokyo 2020
- Silver – 3m synchro (Citrini-Beaulieu)
FINA World Championships (10 medals)
- Shanghai 2011
- Bronze – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- Barcelona 2013
- Bronze – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Kazan 2015
- Silver – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Silver – 3m mixed synchro (Imbeau-Dulac)
- Budapest 2017
- Bronze – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Citrini-Beaulieu)
- Bronze – 3m mixed synchro (Imbeau-Dulac)
- Gwangju 2019
- Silver – 3m synchro (Citrini-Beaulieu)
- Silver – 3m synchro (Imbeau-Dulac)
FINA World Cup (8 medals)
- Changzou 2010
- Bronze – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- London 2012
- Silver – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- Shanghai 2014
- Bronze – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Rio 2016
- Bronze – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Wuhan 2018
- Silver – 3m synchro (Citrini-Beaulieu)
- Tokyo 2020
- Silver – 3m synchro (Citrini-Beaulieu)
Commonwealth Games (7 medals)
- Delhi 2000
- Gold – 1m individual
- Silver – 3m individual
- Gold – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- Glasgow 2014
- Gold – 1m individual
- Silver – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Gold Coast 2018
- Silver – 3m individual
Pan American Games (5 medals)
- Guadalajara 2011
- Silver – 3m synchro (Heymans)
- Toronto 2015
- Gold – 3m individual
- Silver – 3m synchro (Ware)
- Lima 2019
- Gold – 3m individual
- Gold – 3m synchro (Ware)
FINA Diving World Series (68 medals over ten years)
- Top-3 from 2014 to 2018
- First overall in 2019
FINA Diving Grand Prix (28 medals between 2006 and 2019
ABOUT DIVING PLONGEON CANADA
Diving Plongeon Canada (DPC) was established in 1967 as a not-for-profit organization to promote the growth and awareness of the sport in this country. As a member of FINA, the world’s governing body of aquatic sports, DPC contributes to the development of globally accepted standards of excellence in diving and supports the rules and regulations of international competition. Representing nine provincial diving associations, 67 local diving clubs and close to 4,000 high-performance athletes, DPC shares a national commitment to advance the art and sport of diving and to position Canada as the number one diving nation of the world. For information, visit diving.ca
For more information:
Maelle Dancause
Manager, Communications
Diving Plongeon Canada
514-475-4540 | maelle@diving.ca