ContinueBen Ainslie has hinted that this could be his last Olympics, after his fourth straight gold medal confirmed him as the most decorated Olympic sailor in history.
Britain's Ainslie came ninth in a tense Finn medal race to edge long-time regatta leader Jonas Hogh-Christensen of Denmark into silver, but feels that the demands on his body from the sport could mean that Rio in four years time is a step too far.
"You can never say never but I don't think I can sail one of these again, it's killing my body," he told BBC Sport.
"I don't think you will see me in Rio, but it's the best way to bow out at a home Olympics.
"I learned to sail for fun so it's been a long road but I have had a lot of support over the years and I am just so glad to have done it."
The 35-year-old, who also won silver in 1996, overtakes Dane Paul Elvstrom, who won four golds up to 1960. Ainslie was handed a union jack and a flare after crossing the line and sailed past the huge, cheering crowds on the Weymouth shore, as Britain celebrated another historic sporting achievement.
"It's times like this you are supposed to come out with something clever but I can't think of anything," said Ainslie, who won silver and gold in the Laser class before switching to the heavyweight Finn dinghy to win further Olympic titles in Athens and Beijing.
"I am speechless. I am just so glad for everyone who has supported me over the last four years. It has been an amazing Olympics.
"After six races I was in a bit of trouble. Thankfully I turned things around and got it right when it counted.
"It's been incredibly hard - there's a huge amount of pressure to perform at a home Games. It's been the hardest couple of weeks of my life but you just have to get on with the job.
"This was one of the hardest courses I have raced on and I don't want to do anything like that again."
The champion sailor now joins other British sporting greats Matthew Pinsent and Bradley Wiggins on four gold medals.
