The 37-year-old world record holder had been suffering from an ankle injury prior to the championships and limped into the final after Sunday's qualifying round.

Edwards, a devout Christian, was unable to perform at his top form strolling into the pit on his first try while his second produced a below-par 16.31 metres.

He decided to not try a third attempt and ended his multi-medal career watching the other athletes go through the third round of jumps and left the arena sticking his tongue out playfully at some friends in the crowd.

"I've had the most amazing career even when I look back to my schooldays.

"I'm not sad," he said wiping away tears. "I'm overwhelmed by it all.

"I just had nothing there. I didn't have it in me and I was thinking this is the end.

"I chatted to my wife and I said are you happy for me to stop here (after the second jump) because I didn't want to bust a gut.

"I wanted to go out with dignity and I wasn't competitive out there.

"All day I felt strange. I didn't know whether to relish the moment and try to be competitive."

He added he would like to put something back into the sport he had lit up for so many years.

"It has been wonderful for me and I don't know how I can play a part in it but I am sure I will one day find a role."

Moroccan running great Hicham El Guerrouj paid warm tribute to the Briton after he reached the final of the 1500 metres to put himself in sight of a fourth world title.

"It's a pity to go out like that because he is a man I have a lot of respect for.

"I have always thought he is very courageous and I wish him all the best," said El Guerrouj, who will also try to win the 5,000m later in the week.

Edwards had announced on Friday that this would be his last event as he had received a sign from God when he injured the ankle at the Crystal Palace meeting earlier this month.

He is set to begin his new career with the BBC on Tuesday.