Loughborough, Leicestershire, Great Britain, December 16. An international swimming career spanning over a decade has been brought to an end with the announcement through British Swimming that World Champion James Hickman has retired.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old City of Manchester Aquatics athlete announced his departure from the sport following a busy 2004 which saw him secure his fifth consecutive World Short Course Championship 200m Butterfly title<\/b>, gain a silver in the 100m event and make an Olympic final.<\/p>\n
The three-time Olympian was due to officially end his career at the European Short Course Championships in Vienna last week but a slight injury forced him to withdraw.<\/p>\n
Hickman's senior international career, which started at the Commonwealth Games in 1994, has delivered a haul of 36 medals at World, European and Commonwealth level as well as a host of World, European, Commonwealth and British Records.<\/p>\n
"I love the sport and have enjoyed swimming immensely but the time is right for me to retire," said Hickman. "I've had a great year and I always wanted to go out on a high.<\/p>\n
The Butterfly specialist will certainly be kept busy in his retirement, however, with many opportunities on the horizon.<\/p>\n
"I'm really looking forward to the future. I've closed the book on swimming and opened a new one. The direction of it isn't known as yet but it's so exciting.<\/p>\n
"I'm exploring lots of different projects at the moment. I'm working with my sponsor Speedo, which has put a lot of time and investment in me over the years, and I'll also be working on Manchester's staging of the 2008 World Championships (25m).<\/p>\n
"I'm very keen to get involved with the media and I'm also exploring marketing and public relation opportunities at the moment."<\/p>\n
In the short term, Hickman is looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas away from the water – something he hasn't had for many years.<\/p>\n
"I've been out of the pool just a week now so I really don't know how to feel. It's hard to imagine it's permanent at the moment but I'm sure the next time I go to an event and see what other swimmers are doing it will really hit me.<\/p>\n
"The sport has become more and more professional as well as a whole lot tougher during my time but I've really enjoyed the challenge this brings. I will miss it badly but it's just the start of something new."<\/p>\n
A keen Manchester City fan, Hickman gained inspiration to succeed as a swimmer from Olympic gold medalist Adrian Moorhouse and his toughest opponent within his long career has been British team mate and close rival Olympic medalist Steve Parry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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