• Swimmer has won medals at world, European and Commonwealth level • The 26-year-old was fourth in the women’s 50 metres freestyle at Rio

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Fran Halsall, the three-times Olympian, has announced her retirement from swimming.

Halsall was fourth in the women’s 50 metres freestyle at the Rio Games as an Olympic medal proved elusive once more.

Fran Halsall: I’ll get an Olympic rings tattoo if I win gold in Rio Read more

The Liverpool swimmer, whose training base for much of her career was Loughborough, has won medals at world, European and Commonwealth level, including gold in the 2015 world championships in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

Halsall, 26, said: “Announcing my retirement from swimming is a weird concept to me as I’ve never seen it as a career or job. Just a hobby that I’ve loved doing and happened to be OK at.

“It’s time to close this chapter of my life and move on to the next. Swimming has taught me so much and given me opportunities that no other career could.”

Bill Furniss, the British Swimming head coach, said: “Francesca has been a key part of the British team since her debut [in 2006] and has seen her skill and dedication rewarded with medals at almost every level of the sport.

“To have a career at the top of her sport for a decade is something she should be proud of. From myself and everyone at British Swimming I would like to wish her well for her future endeavours.”