British Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Robinson has retired from the sport at the age of 20.
The Northampton-born gold medallist became Paralympic champion at the age of 15 during the Rio 2016 Games, winning the 50 m butterfly S6 and taking bronze in the 100 m freestyle S6.
Robinson - who received an MBE in 2017 - gave a hard-hitting interview detailing her recent struggles after a fifth-placed finish at Tokyo 2020, and she has now bode an emotional farewell to swimming.
In a statement, Robinson said: "Where do I begin? How about I just say swimming, you've served me well. Although your door may be closing, it will never be locked. I will forever be peering through to admire the beauty behind you.
"We've not always got on well. We've clashed countless times - but swimming, I can happily extend a hand and say 'thank you. It was all part of your plan in the end. I should have never doubted you."
British Para-Swimming national performance director Chris Furber also paid tribute to Robinson, adding: "It has been a pleasure to play a part in Ellie's career over the past six years and watch on at all she has achieved, beginning with a British record-setting display at the National Paralympic Day event in London back in 2015.
"There is no doubt that, through her performances at two Paralympic Games and other major international competition, she has helped to promote para-swimming and also raise the profile of para-sport more generally.
"We wish her every success for the future and look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for Ellie Robinson."
Robinson also won the 2016 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year as well as gold medals at the European Championships and Commonwealth Games during her competitive career.
Ben Knapton
