Kluft will not defend

"I can understand that a lot of people will not understand my choice," she told Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet.

"There will be questions but my motivation is not enough for the heptathlon.

"It takes 1000 percent commitment and for the past two years I have not had the same hunger."

The 25-year-old said she would, however, compete in the long jump and triple jump in Beijing.

Asked if the withdrawal from her trademark sport was permanent, the three-time world champion said she was "at least done for now".

"The decision has been both hard and easy," Kluft said.

"I am happy with what I accomplished in heptathlon, I love heptathlon and I always will but I'm not that anxious to take part in it [at the Olympics]."

Kluft said she will stay with current coach Agne Bergvall but would like to get input on the triple jump from well-known triple and high jump coach Yannick Tregaro.

"I am throwing myself out into something new. I know it's risky but at the same time it feels so right and inspiring. I love to compete and to train but I don't want to feel anguish when I compete," said Kluft

"When I was in Japan [at the World Championships], I didn't enjoy the competition. I felt more like, yes, now it's done, more than, oh, I had so much fun."

Kluft was looking forward to competing in the jump competitions.

"I would not change to them if I didn't feel I could become awesome in them. It could be as good as ever," she said.

"Even if I don't take a medal in the Olympics, or even qualify for the finals, I will have had a lot of fun on the way."