Douglas ends her swimming career

Swimmer Julie Douglas has decided to retire from the sport after more than a decade of competing at a high level.

Douglas made the decision after failing to make the times required for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing at the recent Australian Championships.

The Carrickfergus girl represented Northern Ireland at three Commonwealth Games, in Kuala Lumpur, Manchester and Melbourne, among other championships.

She finished 10th in the 100m freestyle in Australia two years ago.

Douglas also competed at numerous World and European Long and Short Course Championships and was eighth in the World Student Games in 2001.

She is still the Irish record holder for the 50m and 100m freestyle long course and the 50m fly long course, as well as a number of short course records as well.

She was denied an appearance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when, despite reaching the qualifying standard, she was overlooked because she didn't swim as many disciplines as a team-mate who was behind her in the rankings.