A wrist injury has forced Libby Trickett to announce her retirement from swimming for a second time.
Trickett hoped to go to her fourth Olympics in Rio in 2016 but called it quits on Wednesday to end a decade-long career as one of Australia’s most successful female swimmers.
After straining ligaments in her wrist during a weights session eight months ago that has prevented her returning to training, Trickett felt it was time to move on at the age of 28.
“There will always be a tinge of sadness to leave the sport that I love, but… I feel at peace with my decision,” said Trickett.
Picked in her first Australian team as an 18-year-old in 2003, Trickett went on to win 17 gold medals through three Olympics, four world championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Trickett called it quits in 2009 a year after claiming gold in the 100m butterfly and 4x100m medley relay at the Beijing Olympics.
But after coming out of retirement late in 2010 to chase a spot on the team for the London Olympics, Townsville-born Trickett struggled to recapture top form.
She was a heat swimmer for the 4x100m freestyle relay team, however was not included in the quartet that went on to win the final.
Trickett was also a former 50m and 100m freestyle world record holder.