Olympic champion Faulds brings curtain down on competitive shooting career

The 37-year-old made his Olympic debut at Atlanta 1996 aged 19 before upgrading on his fifth-place finish with gold in Sydney.

During those Games, Faulds shot a then Olympic record in the preliminary round en route to becoming Britain's first shooting gold-medal winner in 12 years.

In total, the Surrey-born shooter, who had a weak left eye as a child, represented Team GB on 61 occasions, and appeared in three further Olympic Games in 2004, 2008 and 2012, making three finals in total.

He also shot at 12 World Championships, twice winning bronze as well as ten European Championships where his record stands at one gold, three silver and one bronze.

Faulds, whose first appearance in a GB vest came at the age of 13, will now focus on other projects including the Owls Lodge Shooting School he opened in 2010 with wife Tanya � also a successful shooter.

"Over the years I have often said 'that's it, no more double trap' but I have many other commitments in life now, with family and business," he said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me to reach the pinnacle of my sport over the years and I wish everyone who competes wearing the GB badge the best of luck for the future.

"I am enjoying my time competing along side Tanya in Sporting, watching her succeed and now our son Charlie has just started shooting, so maybe he will continue the "Faulds" name at the Olympics in a few years time."

British Shooting Chief Executive, Hamish McInnes, said: "Richard Faulds' successes while representing British Shooting have been unparalleled. Everyone in the shooting world admires his determination, loyalty and dedication over a 20 year period - and we can only hope that we find another 'Richard Faulds' within our current crop of GB athletes.

�He may be stepping down from competitive shooting, but we know he will still be heavily involved in the sport and it's great to hear that his son Charlie has started shooting!"

� Sportsbeat 2014