All Good Things Must Come to an End

Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Ian Thorpe retires from swimming.

Australia's greatest swimmer Ian Thorpe announced his retirement aged just 24 on Tuesday, passing up the chance to become the first man to win three gold medals at three Olympics.

The world and Olympic champion told a packed news conference broadcast live across Australia that he had decided to quit because swimming was no longer the most important thing in his life.

Read the rest of the article, his explanation and Australia's reaction here.

Thorpe said he had several opportunities open to him, with a career in television looming, but gave few other details.

"I haven't picked up a newspaper to look for a job, but if anyone's got any good ones for an ex-Olympic swimmer...," Thorpe said.

I'm sure he'll be just fine. In the meantime, it really is a bittersweet day for the swimming world.