Stephen Milne has announced his retirement after a career in which he has earned Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth medals.
The 28-year-old first graced the international podium when he won 4×200 silver with Team Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Olympic rostrum beckoned two years later in Rio when he swam the lead-off – again in the 4×2 – as Britain came second in what was then a national record of 7:03.13.
Milne went one better a year later and was on top of the podium at the World Championships in Budapest where the British quartet of Milne, Nick Grainger, Duncan Scott and James Guy claimed the world title ahead of Russia and the United States, in a new national mark of 7:01.70.
Two bronze relay medals with Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games were followed by gold in the 4×2 – where he swam the heats – and 4×200 mixed relay bronze at the European Championships in Glasgow later that same year.
Milne’s final trips to the rostrum came at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July where he won bronze with Scotland in the 4×200 relay and 4×100 medley relay, in which he swam the heats.
Milne paid tribute to all those who played a part in his journey in and out of the pool, telling Scottish Swimming:
“When I decided I wanted to compete at the Olympics I had no idea what the road ahead would look like.
“All I knew at the age of 11 was that I loved swimming and I wanted to be as good at it as those I saw ahead of me.
“That was the spark that drove me, got me out of bed in the mornings and kept me going when things got tough.
“I am immensely proud to have represented my nation, my country, and the teams I have been part of, but I didn’t do any of it on my own.
“To everyone who has been with me on this journey over the last 19 years, thank you.
“To my friends and family, team-mates and coaches, from club to performance, within aquatics and across the wider community, I couldn’t have done it without you.
“The fact that you believed in me kept me believing in myself.”
Ally Whike, director of aquatics at Scottish Swimming, said:
“Stephen learned to swim in Scotland, developed his skills through a club in Scotland and went onto represent Scotland and GB at the highest level.
“His attitude as a performance athlete is exemplary and I hope that up-and-coming swimmers will look at him as a role model and someone who has achieved so much through hard work and determination.
“On behalf of Scottish Swimming I wish him well as he moves on with his future.”