Unlike Erin Hamlin of the United States and Samuel Edney of Canada, Langenhan, who was born in the former East Germany, gave no warning of his retirement prior to this month's Games in South Korea.

He has instead only just informed the German Luge Association of his decision.

After finishing fifth at Vancouver 2010 and fourth at Sochi 2014, Langenhan could only manage a 10th place finish in Pyeongchang at his third Winter Games.

The 33-year-old is now said to be keen on a switch to coaching alongside his police officer career.

Langenhan, who turned professional in 2001, has won several major competition medals in his career with his first coming at the 2008 World Championships on home ice in Oberhof, where he won bronze in the men's singles.

The highlight of his career, however, was his men’s singles title at the 2012 European Championships in Paramonovo, Russia, where he also claimed silver in the mixed team event.

Langenhan could not repeat his success a year later on home ice at the European Championships in Oberhof, and instead had to settle for silver with compatriot Felix Loch coming out on top on that occasion.

Alongside his bronze medal in 2008, Langenhan also secured two silver medals in World Championship competition with a second place finish in the men's singles at the 2013 competition in Whistler.

He was then second again in the sprint race at the 2016 event in Königssee - his last major medal.