Thorpe retires from swimming

By ninemsn staff and wires

Australia's greatest-ever swimmer Ian Thorpe has quit, announcing in a press conference his intention to withdraw from professional competition.

In a prepared statement to the packed conference, Thorpe said his battle with sickness and the revelation that there was more to life than swimming had led to his decision.

That revelation had come after his recovery and return to fitness.

"As I got fit, my mind got fit, and I started asking questions," he said. "'What's the relevance of swimming to my life, what would my life be like without swimming?'"

"I haven't balanced out my life as well as what I should have," he said.

Although the 24-year-old said he felt intense pressure to continue swimming, that pressure was coming from others, not from himself.

"It would be dishonest to myself, and to everyone else, if I were to continue on that basis," he said. "I've reached all the dizzy heights of this sport — for all of that I'm extremely appreciative."

Thorpe is regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time after winning 11 world titles, five Olympic gold medals and setting 13 individual long-course world records.

When asked whether a comeback was possible, the Olympic champion was dismissive.

"I don't see myself competing again, it won't happen. I won't rule anything out, I never rule anything out, but it just won't happen."

Nine News sources revealed that earlier in the day, the Olympic legend had begun the day that would be his last as a professional swimmer in the water — surfing at Cronulla.