Jens Byggmark has retired from Alpine skiing ©Getty Images

Sweden's Jens Byggmark has decided to call time on his Alpine skiing career after failing to fully recover from a knee injury.

In 2013 the slalom specialist tore a ligament in his knee which forced him out of the 2013-14 International Ski Federation (FIS) World Cup season and the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Byggmark has failed to fully recover from the setback and was forced to finish his World Cup season early this year, due to a lack of strength and stability in his knee. 

"The reason why I decided to quit my Alpine career is because I feel that my knee did not agree to perform at an extremely high level, it is best in the world," the 31-year-old said.

During his career, Byggmark won three FIS Alpine World Ski Championship silver medals.

He was part of the Swedish line-up which finished second in the team event at the 2007 edition on home snow in Åre, before he won individual slalom silver at the 2011 Championships in Garmisch in Germany.

Two years later, he once again won silver in the team event at Schladming in Austria. 

Jens Byggmark failed to recover from a knee injury and has decided to end his career ©Getty Images
Jens Byggmark failed to recover from a knee injury and has decided to end his career ©Getty Images

The Swede's career included eight podium finishes between 2007 and 2014 on the World Cup circuit.

He won two slalom events in the 2007 season on successive days in Kitzbuhel in Austria. 

Two days later, he placed second in the slalom at Schladming.

Byggmark eventually finished in third in the overall 2007 slalom standings.

He competed at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, finishing 22nd in the slalom.