Three-time Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock has revealed he will be retiring from gymnastics at the conclusion of the Paris games in 2024.

Whitlock, 31, is Britain's most successful gymnast having won 32 international medals.

Along with his three Olympic gold medals, his other honours include:

  • Three World Championship gold medals
  • Four European Champion gold medals
  • Four Commonwealth Game gold medals

'Decision now feels right' - Max Whitlock announces retirement

Whitlock, speaking on BBC Breakfast, said the decision to retire after the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris "feels right"

He said: "This decision now feels right.

"Going for my final Olympic Games, it feels very, very strange talking about it and it's almost hard to articulate what it's like.

"It's a really nice mindset to be in, to think I'll just give it all I've got."

Whitlock made his Olympic debut in London back in 2012 where he collected two bronze medals in the team and pommel horse events. 

He won his first Olympic gold at the Rio de Janeiro game in 2016 on the pommel horse, also collecting bronze in the all-around event.

Then in 2020 he defended his pommel horse gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Whitlock said: "Ever since Rio where I was at my peak age, I think I've had questions thrown at me about when am I retiring," Whitlock said.

"I've wanted to prove people wrong a lot of the way through my journey and I've always had the mindset of trying to do this for as long as I possibly can."

Whitlock will compete in the European Championships in Italy at the end of April before the British Olympic gymnastics squad is announced in June.

Whitlock says daughter inspiration for 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Whitlock says his motivation for Paris 2024 comes from wanting his daughter Willow, born in 2019, to watch him compete at an Olympics, the BBC reports.

She was unable to see him compete in Tokyo (2020) due to the Covid-19 pandemic and no international fans being allowed at the event.

Whitlock said he is looking forward to competing in Paris and being able to see Willow in the crowd.

"Now I've given myself the opportunity for Willow to come and watch an Olympic Games because she couldn't in Tokyo. That's such a good feeling for me," he said.

"When I'm in arenas competing, Willow waits for it to go quiet and she calls for me and we do this double thumbs-up, I think I'd love to do that in the Paris Olympics."

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When are the 2024 Paris Olympic Games?

The Olympic Games are set to take place in Paris, France later this year. 

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will run from July 26 to August 11.