As well as claiming the 1500 metres freestyle bronze at Athens 2004 and an open water silver at Beijing 2008, the 27-year-old from Wales has held the British records in the 400, 800 and 1500m freestyles as of the end of 2010.

The three-time Olympian, who has won medals in the 1500m freestyle at every level of international competition, made his international debut swimming for Wales at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games and followed it up a year later with a fourth place in his first World Championships.

"I have had an amazing career," said Davies (pictured top), who is now set to take up a position with Sport Wales.


"I have achieved so much more than I ever thought possible when I was a youngster.

"I have had terrific support from my family and my coach of many years, Dave Haller in Cardiff, who coached me to my first Olympic medal in Athens.

"I would also like to thank everyone at British Swimming who has helped me along the way.

"I had three great years at Loughborough under the guidance of Kevin Renshaw, who coached me to a silver medal in Beijing.

"I have made some fantastic friends along the way.

"I am going on to work as a performance lifestyle advisor/athlete mentor for Sport Wales so I hope to stay involved with young swimmers and hopefully help them to achieve their sporting ambitions as I have."

National performance director Michael Scott said: "David has had an outstanding swimming career with two Olympic medals and a host of other international distance freestyle medals from World, Commonwealth and European championships.

"He has made a significant contribution to swimming in Britain in his 10-year career and is a fantastic ambassador for the sport."

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