Robinson, 50, made his Paralympic debut at the Stoke Mandeville 1984 Paralympics and has competed at every Games since with his last appearance in Beijing last year. 

 

The Bridgend player won his first Paralympic medal - a team bronze - at Seoul in 1988 but it was at the Barcelona 1992 Games that he really excelled, winning team gold with James Rawson as well as an individual silver medal.

 

Robinson went on to become European singles champion in 1995 and again took individual silver at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games before also becoming world No.1 in his classification.   

 

He said: “To play my last event in Beijing , the ‘home’ of table tennis was a nice way to finish. 

 

"I just missed out on a medal there despite playing well but it was a great event to be involved in. 

 

"The atmosphere in the arena was amazing - a very loud but informed crowd, it was real theatre.

 

“Table tennis has come a long way since my early days.  

 

"The game has evolved into a very technical and highly skilled affair since the early days of ‘ping pong’.

 

"It is a genuine world game with all continents having strong representation.

 

“The Paralympic Games has also changed from what seemed like a large national games in 1984 with little media or public interest, to an event of world interest and huge media coverage in 2008.

 

“Table tennis is a very strong and competitive sport so I can look back on a very successful career and my two individual Paralympic silvers I won in this sport now seem like gold.

 

"I feel that now is the right time for me to finish.  

 

"Although I am still good enough to qualify for major events I realistically don’t think I can improve on what I have achieved."

 

Robinson now plans to concentrate on coaching. 

 

He said: “My intention now is to channel my skills, knowledge and passion into coaching and help those who are prepared to listen.

 

"I have recently been added to the ParalympicsGB Table tennis coaching team and am looking forward to the challenges ahead. 

 

"It would be great to be part of the London 2012 team and hopefully help others achieve what I have and more.

 

“I have had a good attitude to training over the years but I would like to thank all the coaches and practice partners who have helped me, and would like to pay tribute to my family and in particular my wife Karen and daughter Emily, for all their help and support.”

 

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane paid tribute to Robinson and his sporting career.

 

He said: “I would like to wish Neil all the best for the future.

 

"He has, over the past two-and-a-half decades, made a significant contribution to Paralympic sport in the UK and has always demonstrated extreme professionalism and dedication to his table tennis career, which epitomizes the spirit of a top Paralympian.

 

“Neil has an immense experience of the Paralympics and has seen the movement develop significantly since he made his debut in 1984 so I’m delighted to learn that he will be using this vast experience to help develop a new generation of GB players and I look forward to continue to work with him in the future.”