Louis Smith: Peterborough gymnast announces retirement from the sport aged 29

Louis Smith has retired from gymnastics. Credit: PA

Peterborough gymnast Louis Smith has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 29.

Smith represented Great Britain at three Olympics, winning two bronze medals and two silvers, and won three World Championship silver medals.

He also won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games on the pommel horse, and enjoyed success at the European Championships - taking gold in 2012 and 2015.

  • Watch an extended interview with Louis Smith

Smith was planning to compete at the 2020 Toyko Olympics, but had a change of heart due to a combination of changes in qualification criteria and new "opportunities".

He announced his decision on ITV's 'Lorraine' programme on Thursday.

  • Watch a clip from Louis Smith's interview on 'Lorraine'

"I think, last year, I had the mindset that I was going to get back into training and push towards 2020," Smith told Lorraine.

"The whole qualification process has changed, there was a very minuscule chance I would even qualify, but I thought I'd give it a chance, But, new opportunities come up and I have to make very smart life choices. And, unfortunately, I can't keep putting on a leotard.

"It's been a very hard career, but a very fun one. It's been very rewarding."

Smith is no stranger to ventures outside of gymnastics, having won the 2012 series of BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

He's also hoping to star in the musical 'Rip it Up 'on London's West End next year.