Australian swimming star Chelsea Hodges has been forced to retire just before the Paris Games as she fights agonising hip and back problems usually seen in someone almost three times her age.
Hodges - who was a member of the women's 4x100m medley relay team that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics - made the agonising decision based on medical advice.
The 22-year-old is widely considered Australia's best women's breaststroker, but she has walked away after being told her injuries were so severe her hip resembles that of a 60-year-old woman.
Hodges knew her time was up when she had to withdraw from the recent Australian Swimming Championships due to injury.