Olympian Aimee Willmott has announced her retirement from swimming

The 28-year-old has been to three Olympic games in London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and won gold in the 400m Individual Medley at the Gold Coast in Australia.

She followed in the footsteps of her father Stuart who also swam at an Olympic games.

She’s been in the professional game for well over a decade and leaves the sport with a host of competitions, medals and accolades.

Willmott posted on social media: “For as long as I remember, I have always been a ‘swimmer’.

“I won my first national title at 11-years-old and since then I have had one hell of a journey.

“The European Youth Olympics at 14 really lit a fire within me and it was then I knew I wanted to become an Olympian. In 2012, in front of a home crowd, that dream became a reality and it was a swim I will never forget.

“Since I’ve won European Silver Medals, become a Commonwealth Champion and represented my country at a further two Olympic games but it’s not just the accolades I will cherish.

“I have travelled the world and share these amazing experiences with some awesome teammates, incredible coaches and the best support staff in the business.

“In 2017, I moved tot Sitrling thinking my swimming career would soon end but here I am hanging up my goggles four years later.

“Being around such an inspirational group of swimmers gave me a drive to keeping going and better myself. I can’t thank my teammates enough for reminding me why I started swimming in the first place.

“Not many people have a parent that went to an Olympic Games, let alone in the same sport and in the same event so I’m one of the lucky ones.

“My dad was with me during my very first length of the pool and has been with me every length since. He has of course had some pretty loud company in the stands with incredible support from my mum and sister too.

“Here’s to my next journey being a public swimmer (hopefully still in the fast lane), inspiring and fangirling over the next generation.”