NEWPORT swimmer and Paralympian Liz Johnson has announced her retirement through injury.

The 30-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, won medals at three consecutive Palaympic Games, winning silver on debut in the 100m breaststroke at Athens in 2004, gold in the 100m breaststroke in Beijing and bronze in the 100m backstroke at London.

Johnson won four golds and three bronzes at the IPC World Championships in Durban (2006) and Rio (2009).

She had been hoping to make this summer’s Paralympics in Rio but a hernia operation in December put her behind schedule and Johnson has opted to call time on a remarkable career.

“I’ve been extremely privileged to be able to do something that I love and compete at the highest level for almost 20 years,” she said.

“My involvement in swimming has given me so much and the experiences it has provided me with have been influential in shaping me into the person that I am today.

“I am so grateful for everything that the sport has given me and the opportunities that I have had.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had many brilliant teammates – lots of whom I’ve grown up with, been with through the extreme highs and lows in my life and many who have become life long friends – some of the best anyone could ever ask for.

“Swimming has enabled me to travel the world, experiencing different countries and cultures which has helped me grow as a person and an athlete.”

Johnson – who listed Torfaen Swim Squad among those who helped her reach the top – says she is looking forward to devoting more of her time to being a member of the board of Disability Sport Wales.

Pippa Briton, chairperson of Disability Sport Wales, said: “To stay at the top for 20 years is just amazing and is testament to her dedication and hard work.

“She is a remarkable athlete who has demonstrated over successive Games the meaning of the term ‘world class’. We are very proud at Disability Sport Wales to have played just a small part in her amazing journey.”