Matthew Mitcham retires from diving, gold medallist will not compete at Rio Olympics

Updated

Olympic diving gold medallist Matthew Mitcham will not compete at this year's Rio Games after announcing his retirement from the sport.

Key points: Mitcham to pursue media and entertainment career

Won Australia's first men's diving Olympic gold since 1924 at Beijing in 2008

Diving Australia says Mitcham could be regarded as Australia's most successful diver

Mitcham won the 10m platform at the 2008 Beijing Games, and also claimed gold in the 10m synchro platform at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 27-year-old had been aiming to compete at Rio, but says he now intends to focus on his media and entertainment career.

"I have achieved everything I hoped for, including the big three - Olympic gold in 2008, world number one in 2010, and Commonwealth gold in 2014 which could never have happened without all the help I've had along the way," Mitcham said on Thursday.

"I've had a really good run, and I'm so grateful that I've been able to do what I love for as long as I have.

"I have no doubt that Grant Nel, James Connor and Domonic Bedggood, along with our girls, will do Australia proud at the Rio Olympic Games this year.

"I look forward to still being involved in sport in one way or another, but I can't wait to dive into this next chapter."

Mitcham's final dive at the Beijing Games remains the highest individual score in Olympic diving history.

He became the first Australian male to win Olympic gold in diving since Dick Eve in 1924.

Mitcham also claimed Commonwealth silver medals in the 1m springboard, 3m and 10m synchro and the 10m platform in 2010, as well as the 1m springboard and synchro 3m springboard silvers in 2014.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Matthew Mitcham looks back at Olympic diving career (ABC News)

He missed out on a finals spot in the 10m platform at the 2012 London Olympics.

Mitcham publically came out as gay just prior to his glorious 2008 Olympics campaign.

Diving Australia chairman Michael Murphy said Mitcham could be regarded as Australia's most successful diver.

"He has had his fair share of ups and downs, but he has been a wonderful ambassador for our sport and an inspiration for so many athletes in general, not just divers," Murphy said.

I have achieved everything I hoped for, including the big three - Olympic gold in 2008, world number one in 2010, and Commonwealth gold in 2014 which could never have happened without all the help I've had along the way. Matthew Mitcham

"His gold-medal performance as a 20-year-old in Beijing, beating the highly rated Chinese divers in their own pool, is rightly considered one of Australia's great Olympic moments."

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said Mitcham shone from an early age and has been a role model for young Australians.

"He was extremely popular, he was a great team man, and always happy to give his time for the AOC," Coates said.

"He was an outstanding role model as an openly gay athlete and inspired so many Australians in and out of the pool."

Topics: diving, olympics-summer, sport, australia

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