The future of Japan's double Olympic swimming champion Kosuke Kitajima remains in doubt.
The 26-year-old, who won gold in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke at both the Beijing and Athens Olympics, says he will skip this year's world championships.
Kitajima has spent his time collecting awards, making commercials and helping promote Tokyo's 2016 Olympic bid since his Beijing success in August.
He says it feels great not to be training at this time of year and its the first chance he's had to physically and spiritually enjoy life.
Kitajima has yet to make an announcement on his future, although he has done little to dismiss speculation he will not be on the blocks at the 2012 London Olympics.
