Price was distraught after injury wrecked her Olympic hopes

The 25-year-old from Enfield won two gold and two bronze medals at the Manchester Aquatic Centre.

But she finished behind Gemma Spofforth in the 100m backstroke and said: "It was always going to be emotional.

"My body won't do what it needs to be a champion. You just know when it is time to go and the time for me is now."

During her time at the highest level Price attended two Olympics, won 11 major medals and set a world short-course record over 200m backstroke.

Price out after injury

But she suffered disappointment in the 100m at the Olympics in Athens after cutting her leg on an underwater camera during the warm-up for the semi-finals.

And she admitted that it would not be just enough to carry on competing without the physical ability to win medals.

"I desperately want to achieve the results I want to achieve," she added.

"I don't want to just be a member of the British swimming team. I want to win medals, challenge for titles and be as competitive as I can.

I thought it would be special to finish with that event Sarah Price

"Training has been difficult to recover from and, whereas we have adapted it to my needs, it is getting harder all of the time."

The Loughborough University swimmer, who will now look to develop a career in the media, said it had been a suitable way to end her career.

"I started my international career with the 100m backstroke so I thought it would be special to finish with that event."