Gregory, who won men's coxless four gold at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, was a graduate from GB Rowing Team’s start programme having learned to row at Evesham Rowing Club and then gone on to race for Reading University Boat Club.

He made his GB debut in 2004 at the World Under-23 Championships, finishing 11^th in the quadruple sculls and followed it up with fourth place in the double sculls in 2005 and finished his under-23 career in the single scull in 2006, before moving up to the senior ranks.

At the Beijing 2008 Olympics, he was selected as a spare before switching to sweep rowing and going on to win his first World Championship title in the four in 2009.

Gregory was part of the victorious men’s coxless four on "Super Saturday" at the London 2012 Olympics, triumphing alongside Beijing 2008 gold medallists Peter Reed, Tom James and Andrew Triggs Hodge. 

He went on to win World Championship golds in the eight in 2013, the four in 2014 and the eight again in 2015 before helping Britain defend their Olympic four title alongside Moe Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis at Rio 2016.

"I’ve been incredibly lucky to pursue something I love for so long," Gregory said.

"Rowing has taught me so much about myself and those around me.

"Through the continued support of the GB Rowing Team, family and friends I found a way to reach my goals.

"I will miss being a part of something very rare and very special, especially in this incredibly successful era of British Olympic sport.

"It has been a privilege to represent my country in rowing and I’ll hold onto this time with very fond memories.

"I’ve only ever felt supported on my rowing journey so to coaches who have pushed and guided me, friends who have encouraged and understood me, public who have continually sent messages of support, crew mates who have pulled me across the line and family who have never faltered - thank you."

Gregory, who was captain of Leander Club - one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world - in 2015, has three children with his partner Emily and is now looking forward to spending more time with his family. 

"One of the beautiful things about rowing is creating something that is more than the sum of it’s parts," the five-time world champion and two-time European champion added.  

"It’s this challenge and struggle alongside others that I’ll miss the most.

"I’ll be supporting my friends now from the comfort of home and enjoying every minute of their success, while spending more time with my own family."

Sir David Tanner, British Rowing’s performance director, described Gregory as the "consummate team player and crew maker in his stellar career".

"He can look back with a smile on his rowing career as one of the best GB rowers of all time," he said. 

"I wish him all the best and I am sure he will bring his many talents to bear on an interesting and successful career."

Unlike Gregory, Reed has set his sights on competing at Tokyo 2020 after recently returning to official training.

The 35-year-old went back to his job as a Royal Naval officer following Rio 2016, but revealed yesterday he intends to compete at his fourth Olympics.