Swimming great Libby Trickett welcomes baby daughter

Australian swimming great Libby Trickett has given birth to her first child, a little girl who arrived into the world "a couple of weeks early".

Trickett, who retired from swimming two years ago, made the announcement via social media overnight by sharing a picture of herself with the little bundle of joy whose name is Poppy Frances Trickett.

"Luke and I are so thrilled to announce that our little girl, Poppy Frances Trickett arrived into the world (a couple of weeks early!) on the 31st of August at 9.23pm!" Trickett wrote on Instagram.

"She weighed 2.98kg and was 51cm long.

"We can't believe how lucky and blessed we are to have this gorgeous little being in our lives! We are so in love and beyond happy!

Trickett is widely regarded as one of the greatest swimmers Australia has ever produced and was selected in her first national team as an 18-year-old in 2003.

Trickett went on to win 17 gold medals through three Olympics, four world championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

She was also a former 50m and 100m freestyle world record holder.

Aussie swimming fans can only hope little Poppy has her mum's genes.