Saitiev, 34, one of only three wrestlers to have won three Olympic titles, was thinking of bidding for a record fourth gold at the 2012 Games in London but then changed his mind.
 

The Chechen said: "I'm not sure I can still compete at the highest level."

 

He had won his first Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996 before winning again Athens in 2004 and last year in Beijing.

 

Saitiev also won six gold medals in the World Championships and six European titles.