Dutch legend Edith van Dijk competes in her last race in this morning's Fina Marathon World Cup at Repulse Bay as she brings down the curtain on one of the most outstanding careers in long-distance swimming.
The 32-year-old will sign off in style with her third World Cup title in the bag as she competes against a world-class field in the 14th and final leg of the series over 10km.
'This is my last race,' declared Van Dijk, who ends 16 years of top-class competition in open water.
'I have won everything I could win and I have no regrets on retiring. I think it is time for me to quit. We have had 14 races this year and next year, I think it's going to be increased to 20 races,' she said.
Van Dijk has had a most successful career, competing in eight world championships and seven European championships, yielding six gold medals at the worlds and three World Cup triumphs.
'I am not sure what I am going to do after swimming. Perhaps I will become a coach. But I plan to finish my Masters degree in special economics and urban management and another degree in sports nutrition. It will be very different for me after competition,' said the Dutch athlete, who hails from a town 50km from Amsterdam.
Van Dijk might be signing off on a high, but she leaves competition at a time when the sport could become an Olympic event in London in 2012. 'I think I will be too old for the Olympics in 2012 because the sport is not going to be held in Beijing in 2008. I always wanted to swim for my country at the Olympics, but I have no regrets because I think I have had a very good career.