The triple Olympian - she competed at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 but failed to secure a medal at each Games - returned to training last year following a break after London but has now said "this is the right time to retire.

"Now that I have made my decision, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders," Cazé, who was also European champion in 2009 and 2010, said.

"It became harder and harder to stay motivated and to continue training day in day out.

"I was missing that spark.

"It is an emotional moment and I have some wonderful memories.

"Even though modern pentathlon is a small sport, we are big family.

"I will miss it."

Amélie Cazé claimed her second world title at the 2008 World Championships in Budapest ©Getty Images


Cazé got her international career off on the right foot by securing silver medals at both the Junior World and Junior European Championships in 2003.

She then claimed her first individual world title in Berlin in 2007, before repeating that feat again in Budapest in 2008 and Chengdu in 2010, when she was also part of the gold medal-winning French women's team.

"I have to thank my coaches and the support they showed me throughout my career," Cazé said.

"I have a debt of gratitude to them."

Klaus Schormann, President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM), paid tribute to Cazé on her departure from the sport.

"She was an outstanding athlete with great spirit and a real will to win," he said.

"She is a great example for others to follow and will always be a true champion."

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