Oct. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Triple Olympic swimming gold medalist Libby Trickett said she’ll decide next month whether to make her extended break from the sport permanent.

The 24-year-old Australian, who has broken seven world records during her career, said in September she was taking time out to consider her future and that retirement was on her mind.

“I feel like I am getting closer to a decision,” Trickett said today in an interview. “I do need to make a decision, I’d say before December rolls around, because it’s important to prepare properly for the trials next year so I need at least four months to do that.”

Trickett is mulling retirement after seven years on the national team during which she’s won six Olympic medals, eight world championship golds -- including five in Melbourne two years ago -- and five Commonwealth Games golds. Australia’s 2010 national team trials are scheduled in March.

She last raced in a major meet at July’s swimming world championships in Rome, which were overshadowed by controversy over high-tech suits that contributed to an unprecedented 43 world records. FINA, swimming’s governing body, announced during the championships that it had overhauled swimwear regulations, outlawing non-textile suits from the start of 2010.

“I hope with the introduction of new rulings and the new guidelines that people can go back to watching the sport and enjoying the sport for what it is and appreciate the racing,” Trickett said on the sidelines of Sponsorship Australasia’s annual conference in Sydney. “Hopefully then we can gain some credibility back because we have taken a hit, that’s for sure.”

Trickett came away from Rome with one silver and two bronze medals, missing out on gold at a major global meet for the first time since 2003 even after clocking a personal-best time in the 100 meters freestyle.

While still “very, very passionate about swimming,” Trickett said she’s enjoying being away from the “structure and routine” of the sport.

“Because I’ve been in it for so long I know exactly what I need to do,” she said. “I’m just really enjoying the opportunity to do lots of different things. I’m getting closer to a decision, but it’s still up and down.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Dan Baynes in Sydney dbaynes@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 29, 2009 02:34 EDT