Coleman, 30, is competing in her fourth Olympic Games and probably her last.
You should never say never, but I'm going to stop dedicating my life so wholeheartedly (to swimming). I'll keep being in shape, then we'll see what happens, she says.
Coleman had hoped to swim her second individual Olympic final after finishing seventh in the 200m freestyle in Rio 2016.
But her 24.47, which was her best time this year, was seven hundredths of a second too slow and she finished ninth.
The evening and her Olympic career ended in tears.
It wasn't supposed to end like this. In tears. If it had, it would have been tears of joy, she says.
Coach Antonio Lutula met her in the mixed zone, where swimmers meet the press, to offer Coleman support and comfort.
In the stands, her family and partner were sitting.
This Olympic journey is 16 years of one's life, puff and it's over. I'm full of disappointment and emotions and now I just want a hug, says Coleman.
And walks away from the Paris La Defense Arena and the Olympic pool.
For the last time.
