"This sport gave me everything, and I learned so many important things that are going to help me in the next stage of my life," he said.

"My accomplishments, whether it was medals or difficult times in my life - I was able to come through all of that thanks to the people who were around me, to supported me."

Despatie, 27, added a special thanks his long-time coach Arturo Miranda for the "many things" he has taught him.

"Arturo, you taught me many things," he said.

"We've been through quite a bit together and the most important part was you taught me to never ever stop fighting until it's over and that's going to be with me for the rest of my days."

Despatie took silver in the three-metre springboard at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and competed in his fourth Olympics in London last summer, missing out on a podium spot after suffering from a head injury in the weeks leading up to the Games.

He made his international diving debut aged 13 when he won the first of his nine gold Commonwealth Games medals in the 10-metre platform at Kuala Lumpur 1998, and has eight FINA World Championship medals, six FINA World Cup medals and four gold and three bronze Pan American Games medals to his name.

Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) President Marcel Aubut led the tributes to Despatie following the announcement.


"On behalf of the entire Canadian Olympic family, I would like to thank Alexandre for his dedication to Canada's National Diving Programme, and for contributing to the overall development of sport in Canada," he said.

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Alexandre for many years and he has always impressed me both in and outside of competition.

"He has done so much for not only his sport, but for his province and country.

"No matter where in the world Alexandre competed, he made Canadians proud and represented us all with great dignity and charm.

"He has singlehandedly inspired a generation of divers and remains one of this country's greatest sport ambassadors.

"I wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Olympic champion swimmer Mark Tewksbury, who was Canada's Chef de Mission at London 2012, also praised Despatie's impressive career.

"Alexandre is one of those rare athletes who Canadians feel they have grown up watching and supporting," he said.

"Not only has he had a tremendously successful athletic career, but he has been an inspiration to generations of young athletes across this country."

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