Melbourne, Aug 20 (IANS) Pull-outs from the Commonwealth Games have continued, the latest being Australia's triple Olympic gold medallist swimmer Stephanie Rice. She decided to skip the Oct 3-14 Games in New Delhi due to a shoulder surgery.

Rice, who is in California for the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, said she could no longer bear the pain caused by inflammation on her right shoulder and will have to undergo a surgery in a fortnight.

"Obviously it's a big disappointment to me. I have to think about the bigger picture, and that's definitely London 2012," the 22-year-old was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

Rice broke down while announcing her decision in California in front of the Australian television crew.

Rice, who was one of the high-profile athletes in the Australian contingent, won the Olympic golds in Beijing in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and in the 4x200m freestyle relay.

The decision on surgery was taken in consultation with coach Michael Bohl.

"As disappointing as it is, I think it's the right decision. It's going to be really hard to watch the team go away and watch everyone race," Rice said.

Rice said the surgery would be a "clean-out" and not a reconstruction of her shoulder.

"They have told me rehab is 12 weeks, I guess four weeks out of the water if the surgery goes well," she said.