ContinueDouble Olympic medalist David Davies has probably swum his last competitive race after crashing out of the men's 1500m heats on Friday morning at the London Games.
Davies, 27, from Barry, won silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 10km Open Water event, just touched out at the end of a gruelling marathon, and bronze in the 1500m freestyle at the Athens Games four years earlier.
He also won gold at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games in the 1500m freestyle and also bronze in the 400m freestyle.
But, having suffered physical exhaustion last year, he admitted he nearly quit the sport before switching back from coach Kevin Renshaw at Loughborough, where he had been since 2007, to old coach Dave Haller at the City of Cardiff club.
Davies, known as 'Dai Splash' to his mates, finished well down the field on Friday in seventh position in a time of 15.14.77mins, almost half-a-minute behind is personal best of 14.45.95mins set in the Athens Games of 2004.
While not officially annoucing his retirement, he hinted very heavily that this would be it. The London Games are certainly his last Olympics.
Asked directly if he was retiring after the race, Davies said: "You never make a decision when you are emotional and after a race.
"I always planned to but retirement means nothing in sport these days. People are always coming back so I will have a good think about it and speak with my family and my coach.
"Whatever happens, I'll be around supporting GB and British sport and Welsh sport for a while yet.
"I have seen people giving interviews this week and the first thing they say is that it is not the result they wanted and the crowd were brilliant. And that is absolutely true.
"It has been an absolute privilege to be in front of all these amazing fans and listening to them all week.
"But, in the Olympics, you only enjoy it if you get what you want - and I didn't want that result. It has been a tough four years and my body, dealing with all the knocks you get swimming in the distance events, it has been very difficult.
"I am proud I got here. I knew I wasn't in the best shape of my life but I thought I could use the experience and deliver something in the final. Unfortunately, I'm not there.
"The biggest thing in my whole career is to have no regrets. In a few weeks time, when the dust has settled, I will definitely be proud of what I've done. If this is the last race, it is not the way I want it to end but I'm still a two-time Olympic medalist and that's more than I ever thought I would have achieved.
"I want to enjoy the rest of the week. We have some amazing swimmers with GB in the finals. I will be supporting them and be a part of this thing, which it has been a real privilege to be in. I am sure we can get some good results.
"Then we have next week as well and I would like to enjoy this amazing experience of the Olympics in our own country.
"And then there will be lots of time for reflection, spending time with friends and family and thinking what I want to do next."
He added: "This time last year, I was contemplating walking away because I was so frustrated. I took some time out, came back and really got the hunger for it.
"I am so glad I did because it has been amazing.
"But I don't want to be one of those people who enjoy the ride. I do this for success and I do this to get the best out of myself. Today, that is not what I am capable of. It's not good enough but it is not for the want of trying.
"Eventually I will get it (competing in London) because there were a lot of people in there watching who have been a massive part of my life.
"From when I was very young, the Olympics is like a dream. You watch it on television and there are a lot who have seen me come from that (young man) to this and that is special.
"They know, more than anyone, that I have done absolutely everything I can. I am proud of the way I've handled myself and been professional in my job.
"I don't think I was ever blessed with natural talent as a swimmer. The biggest thing I have got is a tenacious work attitude, probably to a detrimental effect sometimes but I think all the medals are the highlight.
"And carrying the flag for Wales in the Commonwealth Games and swimming in front of a home crowd in the Olympic Games, that will be a massive privilege to say I've done it."
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