SYDNEY, Australia — Australian swimmer Grant Hackett, who won 1,500-meter gold medals at two consecutive Olympics, is retiring from the sport.

The 28-year-old Hackett told his plans to Australian television network Channel Nine. He will make a formal announcement at the Australian swimmer of the year awards Monday night.

"I want to set the record straight and address my fellow peers and swimmers and everyone else who has contributed to my career and tell them what sort of path I will be following from now," Hackett said.

After winning gold in the 1,500 at Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004, Hackett was second behind Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia at the Beijing Games in August. Hackett won seven Olympic medals, including three gold, and 10 world championship gold medals. He also has the world records in the 1,500 and 800 freestyle.

"Going to the Olympic Games and having the opportunities to compete in front of a home crowd in Sydney and being part of such a wonderful team and continuing to be a part of a wonderful team in Beijing this year have been the highlights," he said.

When asked what he would miss most in retirement, Hackett replied: "The love of the competition, and competing and being part of such a wonderful team environment."