Chinese diving queen Guo Jingjing is retiring, ending all speculation of her future with the national team.

National diving team leader Zhou Jihong confirmed yesterday that the Olympic and world champion diver had submitted her application for retirement.

"She already made it clear that she would not train and compete, so she will not appear in the London Games," Zhou was quoted by Chinese portal Sina.com. "She is out of the national team. We respect her decision," Zhou said.

This is the first time that the national team confirmed Guo's retirement. After the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, there was a lot of speculation over what Guo would do next. Her last major event was the 2009 National Games in Shandong Province where she scooped her fifth title. She has been rarely seen after that except for fleeting appearances in advertisements and as an Youth Olympic model.

"I think I have fulfilled my task, so the London Games is not what I have in mind now. The chances should be left to other talents in the team," the 30-year-old told Shanghai-based The Bund magazine couple of days ago.

Guo's retirement marks the end of an era during which she picked up a record four Olympic gold medals, five consecutive victories in both the individual and synchronized 3m springboard at the world championships and 17 World Cup titles.

She is not just a phenomenon on the springboard, but has also been in the news over her seven-year romance with Kenneth Fok, son of Hong Kong Olympic Committee president and tycoon Timothy Tsun-Ting Fok. It has been reported that Guo will get married this year.

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