After an outstanding Tokyo 2020, where the team under Bill Furniss achieved their best ever performance with four gold medals, the results in Paris were not as remarkable, but still commendable. While the results were by no means disappointing, Great Britain only managed one gold and four silver medals among the world's top swimmers.

As at the previous Games and others, Furniss led the British team in their quest for glory. In total, 19 medals were won under his guidance - a significant achievement for the coach who has dedicated his life to British swimming.

"After almost 50 years in this great sport, it is now the right time for me to retire and spend more time with my family," said Furniss, who rose to fame as the coach of Rebecca Adlington, who won two historic Olympic gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle at Beijing 2008 and bronze in the same events at London 2012.

"The job is all-consuming but I have loved it; it has been a privilege to work with so many dedicated athletes and to work so closely with so many world-class coaches and support staff," said Furniss, 70.

"While it is the right time for me personally to step down, it is also the right time for Aquatics GB. A new head coach will have the full Olympic cycle to prepare for Los Angeles 2028," he added.

In his final Games, Furniss oversaw impressive performances despite winning just one gold as head coach. The team won five medals and retained the men's 4x200m freestyle relay title. Tokyo 2020 was his best performance, with eight medals, including four golds and a world record in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

Aside from his first Olympic Games as head coach at Rio 2016 (where the team won one gold and five silvers) and his debut in the role at Atlanta 1996, Bill's leadership of the coaches and athletes in Aquatics GB's senior international teams over the past decade has coincided with a golden era of success.

Under his guidance, along with Performance Director Chris Spice and teams of coaches and support staff, athletes such as Adam Peaty, Duncan Scott, Jazz Carlin, James Guy, Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, Ben Proud and Anna Hopkin have achieved multiple podium finishes on the sport's biggest stages around the world.

In 2017, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to swimming, both as a head coach and for his nearly five decades of involvement in the sport. Now, Bill will focus on a future away from the elite arena, spending time with his family and reflecting on a successful and accomplished career.

Paying tribute to Furniss' impact on Aquatics GB swimming, Performance Director Chris Spice said: "It is difficult to sum up the impact that Bill has had on the sport in this country, but it is safe to say that he has been influential in the unprecedented success that our athletes have achieved in Olympic and World Championship pools in recent years.

"We will miss Bill at the pool with his direct and performance-focused approach, both at major events and in our Performance Centres and other training environments, working with athletes and coaches on a daily basis to ensure they are well supported and in the best position to perform," said Spice.

"Our programme owes a great deal to Bill's leadership and we have a responsibility to build on his legacy as we move towards Los Angeles and beyond. For now, we thank him and wish him well in his next chapter," Spice concluded.