PARALYMPICS:David Malone missed out on a place in the final of the men's 100metre backstroke (S8) and after a career spanning four Paralympic Games, including gold at Sydney in 2000, the Irish swimmer announced his retirement.
Malone has been one of Ireland's most successful Paralympians and given his competitive instinct he was still disappointed at not getting further at the Water Cube in Beijing.
"I was hoping to go a little bit faster but I gave it everything I could," said Malone, who finished fifth in heat two, 10th overall, in a time of 1:16.80.
"I went out quite relaxed and comfortable in the first 50metres and turned well. The last 25metres the arms were turning over but I just couldn't generate any power and just fell short unfortunately."
The 30-year-old three, who won silver in Atlanta and Athens to go along with his gold from Sydney, said his plan was always to retire at these Games.
"I was always going to retire after this meet," he said "It's my fourth Paralympic Games and in my head I always wanted to go out at the highest level."
"Winning the gold in Sydney 2000 was a huge moment because that year I'd won the World Championships and the European Championships. I held the world record but it (Paralympic gold) was the only one I hadn't won and it was a big milestone.
"It's probably the greatest moment in anyone's career to win a medal at the Paralympic Games. It doesn't get any bigger than that."
"I held the world record for 100m backstroke for ten years and it was only broken last year. I've had an international career spanning back now since 1993 so I've had a really amazing journey. It was always going to end here," added Malone, who plans to focus on his role as head coach at the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown.
"The future of Paralympic swimming in general is very bright in Ireland, there's some incredible talent coming through, the best I've ever probably seen coming through at once," he added.
"I'm very much looking forward to a new chapter in coaching and being heavily involved in sport from another aspect. I go away with great memories."