PAU, France: Triple Olympic canoeing champion Tony Estanguet of France announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday, four months after winning the third Games gold of his career in London.

The 34-year-old, who also triumphed in the C1 category at Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004), added that he was at peace with his decision, saying: “It was a superb Olympiad, I revel in every moment, but now it’s time (to retire).

“I’m not leaving worn-out, in conflict with my sport. I am conscious of my responsibilities that my three gold medals give me. I will keep a foot in high-level sport,” Estanguet insisted.

The Frenchman also said “not much had changed” regarding the status of his August election to the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission, noting that he had been informed that no “decision would be made before the end of the first trimester in 2013.”

His appointment to the committee was delayed after the National Olympic Committees of Japan and Taiwan lodged appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport following Koji Murofushi and Chu Mu-Yen’s respective disqualifications for campaigning, which is in violation of IOC rules.