Christian Sprenger believes he could make Australia's swim team for this year's Olympics, he just doesn't feel it'd be the right thing to do.
The London 2012 100m breaststroke silver medallist has hung up his goggles rather than pursue a third Olympic appearance at Rio, citing a lack of motivation and underwhelming performance.
The 30-year-old is hampered by a shoulder condition and says while he still thinks he could qualify for the Games, he would merely be making up the numbers rather than chasing success.
"The realisation was I was trying to push myself to the Olympics because that's what I've always done," Sprenger said.
"But to be performing at those high levels on the world stage you need to have that natural will, natural heart and soul.
"I have no sort of feeling towards the water right now.
"I look at it and I don't really want to dive in at this moment.
"That's a good indication that things are where they're supposed to be."
The Brisbane-based swimmer's decision, particularly in an Olympic year, has many scratching their heads but the man himself says he isn't an athlete who competes merely to qualify for a team.
"I probably have good enough times to get straight on the Olympic team, but a third Olympics you don't just want to make the team, you want to go and perform," he said.
Sprenger leaves the sport satisfied, saying his London Olympic performance and a world championship title the following year in Barcelona were all he could have ever asked for.
Sprenger will now complete a business degree he is currently undertaking and says he's contemplating opportunities to work in the media.
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