The 38-year-old made history in 2008 when she became the first from her country to win an International Biathlon Union World Cup race.

She triumphed over 15 kilometres in Hochfilzen in Austria.

Tofalvi started competing in 1997 with her retirement decision coming 20 years later.

She appeared at every edition of the Winter Olympics from Nagano 1998 onwards and was flagbearer at three of them - Salt Lake City 2002, Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014.

The Romanian said she wanted to start a family, with her decision coming the year before the next edition of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in South Korea.

"I am not 100 per cent sure, but I feel like it is the moment to settle down and start a family," she said.

"I know the Olympics are around the corner but I do not think I can invest the energy which is needed for such an event.

"Winning the World Cup is probably the most incredible memory I will ever carry. 

"It is not just because of the win, but the work I know I had to put in to get it.

"Carrying the flag of Romania at three different Olympic Games was something special and still is. 

"I come from the Hungarian minority; because of this it is even more special and important what I was allowed to do."