The 35-year-old confirmed the news after securing victory at London 2012, where she and partner of 11 years Kerri Walsh Jennings (pictured top, left) defied doubters to claim their third Olympic gold, having achieved the same feat at both Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

They have been described as the greatest beach volleyball team of all time.

Both players took time off between 2008 and 2010 – May-Treanor (pictured top, right) was injured and Walsh gave birth to two children.

They teamed up again to make an attempt to win a third consecutive gold medal, and during the London 2012 Olympics made it 32 consecutive sets without a loss before seeing that particular run brought to an end.

The pair still went on to claim gold with a victory over compatriots April Ross and Jennifer Kessy in the final, 21-16, 21-16.

"Beach volleyball's not going to be my career anymore...it's time for me to be a wife," said May-Treanor, the wife of baseball star Matt Treanor and daughter of Bob May, who was a member of the 1968 United States Olympic volleyball team.

"I want to be a mum and share time with my family," May-Treanor continued.

"All of us as athletes sacrifice more on the family end than people realise.

"My mind says it's time, my body says it's time – and it's the right time."

Kerri Walsh Jennings (second left) and Misty May-Treanor (right) celebrate winning the London 2012 women's beach volleyball gold medal at Horse Guards Parade

May-Treanor competed with Holly McPeak at Sydney 2000 and has a remarkable 112 wins to her name in international and domestic competitions.

She quits her sport not only as a triple Olympic champion, but also a three-times world champion.

Walsh Jennings said: "I'm just proud to finish the journey with Misty how we finished it.

"It's been 11 years of really fun and crazy times – she's the best there ever has been.

"We're so close and connected.

"Our competitive journey is done, that's a big deal.

"That crushes me a little bit, but the next stage is going to be fun, we're going to get to be girlfriends...it makes it really bittersweet."

May-Treanor was named the Association of Volleyball Professionals' (AVP) best defensive player from 2002 to 2008, and was given the title of best offensive player for ten years running from 1998, as well as winning an award of some kind every year between 1995 and 2008.

The pair set a record of 112 consecutive matches in 2008, a run that included 19 tournament victories.

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