The 37-year-old would become the first man from the sport to win four Olympic gold medals should he triumph in Japan's capital this year.

He won Greco-Roman titles at 120 kilograms at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and also captured 130kg gold at Rio 2016.

If he is successful again he would match the achievement of Japan's four-time Olympic champion in women's wrestling, Kaori Icho.

He would move ahead of Russia's Aleksandr Karelin, who won three golds and one silver, as the most successful men's wrestler at the Olympics.

"After Tokyo I am retiring, it's already decided," he said.

"Because of my age, I want to rest and it's time to give the opportunity to new generations. 

"I want to say goodbye of course by winning my fourth Olympic gold medal. 

"I am preparing myself for this and I am sure that I will achieve it."

Gold in Tokyo would also confirm López as Cuba's most successful Olympian.

He would move in front of boxers Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon, and fencer Ramon Fonst, who all won three Olympic titles each.

"I haven't thought about anything other than winning my fourth gold medal at the Olympic Games, it's my final goal," López added.

"I want to take a long break.

"But in the future, I want to help all of the young people in my country and be able to give them all of the experience and knowledge I have learned from the sport." 

López has won five world titles in his glittering career.

He has also won gold at the last five editions of the Pan American Games, including in Lima last year.

Icho ended her bid to win a fifth gold medal at Tokyo 2020 in December, after failing to qualify for the Japanese team.