The 35-year-old said he had decided to announce the decision to allow him to fully focus on his sporting aims for the season.

This will include his final appearance at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

"I decided to retire after this season," Cologna told Swiss Ski.

"I wanted to communicate the decision before the start of the season so that I can clear my head and focus 100 percent on my sporting activities.

"Can focus on goals.

"I'm about to have my fourth Winter Olympics and I want to attack again there."

Cologna has enjoyed an illustrious career, with the cross-country star having won gold on all three of his appearances at the Winter Olympics.

His maiden Olympic title came at Vancouver 2010, where he triumphed in the men’s 15-kilometres event.

Cologna defended his title at Sochi 2014, before completing a hat-trick of victories in the discipline at Pyeongchang 2018.

Sochi 2014 also saw Cologna win gold in the men’s 30km skiathlon competition.

Cologna had headed into the Games as the reigning world champion in the event, one of three medals he has claimed at the World Championships during his career.

Cologna has won four overall World Cup titles during his career, topping the season standings in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015.

He also scooped the distance crowns in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Cologna will head into the final season of his career hoping to add to his 26 World Cup victories and 73 podium finishes.

The Cross-Country World Cup season is scheduled to begin later this month at Ruka in Finland.

Competition will take place in Ruka on November 27 and 28.