Australia's 'Missile' Magnussen hangs up the goggles

FILE PHOTO: Australia's James Magnussen poses with his gold medal at the men's 100m freestyle victory ceremony during the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona August 1, 2013. REUTERS/Albert Gea

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's James Magnussen has retired from the pool after a roller-coaster career featuring world domination, Olympic heartbreak and a sleeping pill scandal that embarrassed the nation's swimming community.

A towering, muscular swimmer, Magnussen became Australia's first world champion in the blue riband 100 metres freestyle at Shanghai in 2011 and defended the title two years later at Barcelona.