The 39-year-old-father-of-two made the announcement after his lightweight four finished fourth in the London Olympics final behind South Africa, Great Britain and Denmark yesterday.

Edwards has competed in five Olympics, winning two silver medals and a bronze.

He has also won a gold, two silvers and two bronzes from world championships over nearly two decades.

``It's been an amazing career but it's something you just get used to doing every day of your life,'' Edwards said.

``The only way to explain it is like any worker who's been doing the same job for 20 years, well I've been doing my rowing for that long as well.''

Watched by his two children, wife, mother and brother, Ballarat-born Edwards said he was glad he decided to come back after a disappointing ninth place finish in Beijing.

``The last three years has probably been the most enjoyable of my rowing career,'' he said.

``I think each Olympics is a journey in itself. You look back at 1996 and think my god how long ago was that?

``But it was great to have been around when Steve Redgrave was rowing or James Tomkins, the Oarsome Foursome.''

Edwards had indicated he was likely to retire after London where he competed with fellow Hobartian Sam Beltz and West Australian Todd Skipworth and Ben Cureton in a crew coached by Brett Crow of the TIS.

After several months in Europe, the New Norfolk rower said he was looking forward to returning home to Molesworth and getting back to work as Rowing Tasmanias development officer.