Triple Olympic champion Libby Trickett retired from competitive swimming at the age of 24 on Monday after spending the last few months contemplating her future.
Trickett's retirement had been signalled after she took a break from training following this year's world championships in Rome where she failed to win a gold medal.
"It's something that I've been thinking about for almost a year now, and after much consideration and speaking with my family and close friends I know that I am ready to move on to the next stage of my life and career," Trickett said in a statement.
"Swimming is such a great sport to be involved with and has been a huge part of my life for such a long time.
"Through swimming I've been able to travel the world doing something that I love and this great sport has provided me with so many fantastic memories and opportunities."
The Australian, who had won a silver and two bronze medals in Rome, had refused to use the new polyurethane swimsuits that will be outlawed from next year.
She won three Olympic gold medals, one at Athens in 2004 and two more at Beijing last year, as well as eight world championship gold medals, including a record five at the 2007 titles in Melbourne.
Trickett, who raced under her maiden name of Libby Lenton before marrying Luke Trickett in 2007, had lost most of her world records since the introduction of the new bodysuits.
She is moving into a new career in broadcasting.
