25 Jul 2025

Stepping back: from Olympic champion to star supporter

ESSEN - Instead of chasing medals in Essen, three-time Olympian Nina Derwael (BEL) is in the stands, cheering on her Belgian teammates in the artistic gymnastics events at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games.

/ 1

Open gallery

Just a week before she was set to compete at the Games, the Tokyo Olympic 2020 uneven bars champion surprised the gymnastics world by announcing her retirement. Fresh from a double gold performance at the 2025 European Championships in May, the Belgian star chose to bow out at the top of her game.

“Initially, it was the idea that I would compete at the University Games myself,” Derwael told the FISU Games News Service. “But I recently decided to retire. It feels great to be here. I’m happy that I don’t feel the urge to compete anymore – it’s a sign that I made the right decision.

“After the European championships, it was the first time in my life that I felt truly fulfilled with all my results. I then started to think more about the future. When I reflected on my chances and potential going forward, I realised there was no better way to end my career than the way I just had.

“You always have to look at the bigger picture, at risk-reward. It was clear that in terms of rewards, I achieved everything I could during my career. It felt it was the right time to retire.”

Door still open

Although her competitive chapter has closed, Derwael isn’t stepping away from gymnastics entirely.

“It’s still a fantastic sport and it will forever be the sport I love most,” she said.

“I would love to stay involved, although I feel I first need to do some other things to find out what I want to do. But I’m sure there will be a point where I will speak with the federation about the options. They already mentioned they’d be interested.

“When I was younger, I always said I did not want to be a coach. But now, I do feel like it’s something I’d like to do. I think I could help the young gymnasts and share my experience.”

Spontaneous trips and family time

For now, Derwael is enjoying the extra freedom retirement from competition has given her.

“I went to Barcelona a few days ago with a friend of mine,” she said. “We booked the tickets on Monday and left on a Saturday. That’s something I was never able to do before.”

She also wants to spend more time with her family, particularly her mother who was diagnosed with cancer in 2023.

“I know our time together will not be endless, it is quite limited,” Derwael said. “I don’t want to have any regrets in the future about the fact I didn’t take the time to spend more time with her.

“Luckily, she’s doing well now,” she added. “She recently had some checks and everything is fine, but those check-ups are always nerve-wracking.”

Beyond medals

Derwael retires with an impressive résumé: Olympic gold, two world and four European titles. But what she’s most proud of isn’t a medal – it’s her comeback from injury ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“The road I’ve been on after my shoulder injury and the way I fought back to compete again is something I’m very proud of,” Derwael said. “To finish off that intense period with fourth place (on uneven bars in Paris) and two golds at the Europeans this year is amazing.

“Of course, I’m also proud about my Olympic gold medal from Tokyo (2020) on uneven bars, but in a different way. Most of my medals I won between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020; everything went so well during that period. The revalidation process and the road to Paris was all about fighting. Maybe that’s why it was more emotional.

“I’ve always loved gymnastics and always will. I will miss doing it, but it’s been enough.”

FGNS ld/kc/mb