Ainslie Quits Olympic Sailing

Britain's most successful Olympic sailor, Ben Ainslie, will not be going for a fifth gold medal at Rio 2016.

The 35-year old, who won his fourth Olympic title at London 2012, will now focus on the America's Cup, sailing's oldest trophy.

Ainslie confirmed in a statement that leaving the Olympic team was a difficult choice.

“When I look back there are so many special memories; from that first medal in Atlanta 16 years ago to carrying the flag at the closing ceremony in London 2012," he said.

"London was an incredibly special Olympics, competing on home waters and in front of a home crowd, I don’t think anything will be able to top that experience. But you have to move forwards and it is time to move onto the next challenge in my career.”

Ainslie won the first of his Olympic titles in Sydney in 2000 in the Laser class before winning gold at the next three games in the Finn class. He also won a silver in Atlanta in 1996.

He is also an eight-times world champion, but the chance to become the first Briton to win the America's Cup was one he felt he could not turn down.

“The America’s Cup has always been a goal for me," Ainslie explained.

"With the new format of the America’s Cup World Series and the increased commercialisation of the event, I feel confident that we can continue to build towards creating a commercially viable team, with the ultimate goal of challenging for the 35th America’s Cup.

"Stepping away from the Olympics was not an easy decision to make and I wanted to take some time after London to think about the future and what the next challenge would be.

"I’ve had an amazing Olympic sailing career and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the countless number of people who have been involved in my sailing career to date. Their support enabled me to achieve my dreams and I could not have done it without them.”