Freestyle sprint specialist Malia Metella, one of the biggest names in French swimming, announced her retirement from competitive sport.

The 27-year-old from Cayenne, capital city of French Guiana, won silver in the 50 metres freestyle at the Athens Games in 2004.

In the same year she won the European title in the 100 free in Madrid.

Finally, she also collected two gold medals for the 100 free event at the 2003 and 2004 short-course Europeans.