Wiltshire's Olympic hero Kate French has announced her retirement from the modern pentathlon.

French, who was born in Kent but is now based in Wiltshire, won Olympic gold in the event at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

She also won five world championship medals and six European gold medals in her career.

Alongside her Olympic triumph, French claimed the World Cup title in 2021 on her way to becoming ranked number one in the world.

After an 18-month break from the sport, the 33-year-old returned to competition last summer at the Paris Games, but had to withdraw on the final day due to sickness.

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In a post on Instagram, French said: "After 17 incredible years, it's time to say goodbye to life as a professional athlete.

"This sport has taught me so much, and I leave with a heart full of happiness and a head full of wonderful memories.

"There were many highs and lows, but it's been an amazing adventure and truth be told, I wouldn't change a thing."

After joining the British Pathway Programme in 2007, French was part of the team that won the junior world title in 2010 before claiming her first senior world gold medal in the team event in 2013.

She finished fifth in her first Olympics at Rio 2016, and then struck gold in Tokyo five years later, becoming the first British woman to win the Olympic title since Steph Cook in 2000.

French swam a personal best in the 200m freestyle on her way to winning the gold medal, and set a new Olympic record for the highest points total in the laser run as she finished more than 15 seconds ahead of her nearest opponent.

She took a break from the sport after becoming Olympic champion and competed just twice in 2022, before returning in 2023 to prepare for the Paris Games.

French was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours list for her services to modern pentathlon.

Jamie Cooke, Pentathlon GB Head of Performance, said: "From a performance side Kate dominated the sport, and from a personal side she continues to inspire in the way she did it."

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