Pernille Blume specialized in freestyle and has won 27 Olympic, WC and EC medals during her career, with the Olympic gold in the 50 meter freestyle in Rio 2016 topping the list.
But now, ten years since his Olympic debut in 2012, the 28-year-old chooses to end his career.
"Although it is hard and difficult to say goodbye to something that I love so much, it is just as exciting to think about the new chapter that is about to begin.
I don't yet know what the new chapter will look like, but I throw myself out there and trust that life will catch me and that I will find the way to something meaningful and exciting like swimming has been for me," writes Blume on Instagram.
At the Olympics in Tokyo last year, Blume took bronze in the 50 meter freestyle, then she had to share the podium with Sarah Sjöström, who took the silver medal.
During Blume's Instagram post, Sjöström sent a greeting to his former rival.
“Congratulations on all your amazing achievements!
You are a true inspiration in so many ways," Sjöström wrote and ended with a heart.