“It is perhaps one of the toughest moments in my life but I had to realise that I can no longer surmount the plenty of difficulties I have had to face recently,” he said, referring to a series of injuries.

Gyurta triumphed in the 200-metre breaststroke in the 2012 Olympics, as well as in three world championships and two European championships. He won the same event in two world short-track championships as well.

Gyurta, who is a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, said he would not lose touch with swimming but ruled out that he would become a coach.