The Australian has been on a sabbatical since September and admitted that she may not return to the pool.

 

She said: ''I would like to make a decision by December.

 

''I feel I am getting closer to a decision.

 

"One day I'm like, 'Yes, that's definitely my decision', and the next it's, 'There's no way I can do that'.

 

''It's been an interesting few months for me.

 

"I've had a chance to see what else there is in life."

 

Trickett, 24, has won a total of six Olympic medals since making her debut at Athens in 2004.

 

These include three gold, including two last year at Beijing when she won the 100 metres butterfly and was a member of the winning 4x100m medley relay team.

 

Trickett has also won 15 medals in the World Championships, including eight gold, and seven in the Commonwealth Games, including five at Melbourne in 2006.

 

Trickett, currently studying for a communications degree, plans to enter the media after her career finishes.

 

But she does not know whether that will be before or after London 2012.

 

Trickett said: ''I've always dreamt of going to three Olympics.

 

"But whether that drive is enough … I've got to think about what happens in the couple of years before that.''