Dame Sophie Pascoe believes the time is right to hang up her swimming cap and goggles.

The 32-year-old is retiring as New Zealand's greatest-ever Paralympian, having won 11 gold medals since her first Games in Beijing in 2008.

She says she had to take a step back from the sport after welcoming her first son - and she's keen to carry on with her next venture.

"It just really felt comfortable for me knowing that I was still there with my son and my family and we were still a family unit - so that definitely helped, I definitely had time over this break to really make a decision around this next four-year cycle." 

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