Hewitt calls it quits

Three-time Olympian Lauren Hewitt has announced her retirement from athletics.

Hewitt, who was the youngest member of Australia's Atlanta Olympic Games team before going on to represent her country at the Sydney and Athens games, will retire from the sport immediately after 13 years at the top level.

The 29-yer-old won an individual silver medal in the 200m at the World Junior Championships in 1996, as well as winning three relay gold medals at Commonwealth Games in 1998 and 2002.

Hewitt said the time was right to bring her career to an end.

"People hesitate to say congratulations, and ask if it is congratulations. Of course it is, I am quite happy with my decision," Hewitt said.

"Athletics has been my passion since I was a young girl and now that I have made the decision to retire, I can reflect and appreciate how far I've come."

"I have to admit reading over my achievements makes me feel pretty proud of what I have done."

"My Olympic journey will be with me forever and now I'm looking forward to having the time and energy to focus on new endeavours."

Hewitt will now return to university to commence her master's degree in nutrition medicine.