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." 

LISTEN ABOVE

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."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Dame Sophie Pascoe: Kiwi para-swimmer opens up about retirement from the sport

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7b084bce-6cbe-4e8e-b529-b27500617b39/transcript