ParalympicsGB's Ellie Simmonds has confirmed her retirement from swimming after the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The 26-year-old, who won five golds across her illustrious career, announced last week she was confident that Tokyo 2020 would be her fourth and final Games.
Simmonds was selected as a Team GB flagbearer at the Paralympics’ opening ceremony in the Japanese capital and suffered heartbreak when she was disqualified from the S6 400m freestyle final - her last race.
She allegedly had failed to not touch the wall at a turn, but an official complaint led to her eventually being reinstated and classified as fifth.
Simmonds has since recollected her thoughts and made a final decision to retire.
“I’ve heard it said by others that you know when it is time to call it a day, and having given a lot of thought to it, I know that now is the right time for me,” Simmonds wrote on Twitter.
“Being part of the Paralympic movement and able to contribute in some small way to the progression of para-sport means an enormous amount to me and is something that I shall continue to be involved in.
“Being a Paralympian has changed my life. I've made the best of friends, travelled the world and met the most amazing and inspirational of people - all while having the time of my life.”
Simmonds burst onto the scene as one of the faces of Team GB at Beijing 2008, where she made her Paralympics debut at the age of 13 - and won two gold medals.
She claimed another double at London 2012 and followed that up with gold in Rio four years later but she failed to make the podium in Tokyo as she was overshadowed by team-mate Maisie Summers-Newton.
Summers-Newton, who won gold in both the SB6 100m breaststroke and SM6 200m individual medley, said she was inspired to take up swimming by the efforts of Simmonds, who finished fourth and fifth in those events.
After reflecting on her stellar career, Simmonds is excited to enjoy her sport and avoid any early starts.
“Since my first international competition in 2006 aged 12 to the Tokyo Paralympics, competing for Great Britain has been the greatest honour of my life,” Simmonds continued.
“From having my dreams come true as a wide-eyed and excited 13-year-old in Beijing and then competing in a home Games in 2012 through to now it's hard to convey just how proud, honoured and grateful I am for everything, not least the wonderful support I've had.
“I love swimming and I'll still be found in the pool, but now I'll be able to do it without the 04:30 alarm.”
Simmonds became the youngest person in history to be made an MBE when she received the honour aged 14 in 2009, and she was later elevated to OBE in 2013 for her services to sport.
She also became the first woman in over 20 years to be named flagbearer for Britain at the Paralympics opening ceremony, sharing the honour alongside archer John Stubbs.
British Para-Swimming national performance director Chris Furber heaped praise on Simmonds upon hearing news of her decision, and insisted she is a true champion of inclusion and diversity as well as sporting class.
In a statement, Furber said: “The legacy she leaves behind is outstanding, both in terms of her incredible performances in the pool and also in the way she has challenged perceptions and inspired the entire nation.
“Ellie is a remarkable person.”
British Swimming CEO Jack Buckner also celebrated the ‘wonderful’ career of Simmonds, referring to the swimmer as a ‘genuine legend’.
“I have no doubt that all the experience and skills she has developed throughout her career stand her in good stead for whatever lies ahead, and we look forward to seeing that and supporting wherever we can,” Buckner said.
