(Adds details, quotes) LONDON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Britain's double Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington has retired from competition to concentrate on grassroots coaching, the 23-year-old said on Tuesday. Adlington, who currently holds the world record in the 800 metres freestyle, won two golds in Beijing in 2008 and two bronze medals at London 2012. "I love swimming but as a competitive element and elite athlete I won't compete any more," she told reporters.

Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington announced Tuesday her retirement from competitive swimming. The 23-year-old Briton won two gold medals at the Beijing Games in 2008 but could only muster two bronze medals at London 2012 as the host nation's swimmers managed a disappointing three medals between them in the pool. She said now was the right time to quit as she could no longer keep pace with a younger generation of swimmers. "I hate the word retire," Adlington said. "I love swimming but as a competitive element and elite athlete I won't compete any more.