DOOR LEFT OPEN FOR SWIM STARS

 

BEIJING, CHINA, August 18: At the end of every Olympic Games there are always the inevitable retirements from athletes that have reached the end of the road.

For some it is because they have climbed the highest mountain, for others it is brought by disappointment and heartbreak and for many it is just because they have no more to give.

Swimming as a sport is no different - big names bow out following every Olympics and it was expected that some of the biggest Australian stars would walk away after these Games. DAVID LYALL AOC REPORTS....

Grant Hackett, Leisel Jones and Libby Trickett have 21 Olympic medals between them and eight combined Olympic appearances. They have all won gold on sport's grandest stage and no one could begrudge them if they left the pool for good.

But the door has been left open with none of the big three committing to the ‘R' word. Hackett said after his 1500 metre silver that he needed time to think. Jones will take a break, get married and will be back, while Trickett says the performances of Michael Phelps have lit a fire within her.

Jones described it as the inevitable question - would she be at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"I have been asked so many questions about London and I think it's still four years away and it's still a long time so I'm just going to take a break and take as long as I need but I'll be back," Jones said.

"It would be nice to continue on for the 200 [metres, in which she has two Olympic silvers] in London."

Trickett didn't mention London but said she has more to give before she is done, believing it is important to take a step back before making any rash decisions.

"It's hard and difficult at this time because all the emotions are still running hot but at this point I'm still definitely in the sport," Trickett said.

"I have three months off which I'm really, really excited about. I'm just really looking forward to enjoying this time and enjoying the achievements not just of myself but of the entire team."

The four-time medallist from these Games said what Phelps had achieved gave her inspiration to back up.

"It's pretty special to be swimming in an era when clearly the world's greatest ever male swimmer is swimming and to be able to watch what he has done in the past week is absolutely amazing...it definitely stretches out the barriers and makes the impossible possible...I still think I have a lot more in me and I want to try and find that extra mile just like he has."

Australian head coach Alan Thompson said Hackett would also take some time before deciding where his future lies.

"I talked to Grant and he hasn't made his mind up," Thompson said.

"This is a very emotional time here and one thing that we all know is that you try not to make major decisions in your life when there is extreme emotion. It's a time to reflect, walk away and then a decision should come in the next month or three months or whatever it takes.

"Certainly Grant will be coming towards the end of his career...but we'll let him have a rest now and we'll wait for the decision in the end. I think Grant has found a new lease of life this year and I think he knows he's still got a bit of fight left in him."

The only member of Australia's 20 medal winning swim team - the best to have ever worn the green an gold at an Olympics - to confirm they have swum their last lap is Tarnee White - a finalist in the 100m breaststroke at these Games and also at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.