O'Neill contemplates retirement

Susie O'Neill (centre) may opt for a life away from swimming

Australia's Susie O'Neill may retire from swimming in order to concentrate on her marriage.

The swimmer, who took the 200m freestyle gold at the Sydney Olympics but lost the 200m butterfly to America's Misty Hyman, says that the need for her to train constantly and spend time away from home in order to remain at the top of her game may force the issue.

O'Neill will go on a surf safari with husband Cliff Fairley to consider her sporting future.

"He is saying retirement definitely. I don't think he wants me to keep swimming," said O'Neill.

"Swimming always came first - even before Cliff - over the last couple of years so it would be nice to reverse that a bit."

O'Neill, 27, said the pressures of professional sports forced a selfishness that could strain marriages.

"It's hard on the relationship when you're an elite athlete, especially when you're living in different cities," she said.

But Australia's head swimming coach Don Talbot is keen that O'Neill continues.

"She's got a lot more left in her," he said.

"Finishing being beaten in her favourite event - you can't feel good about that even though she got silver and it was a great swim and she holds the world record," he added.