Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced her retirement from athletics
By Allan Valente
Last Updated: 13/10/16 4:05pm
Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced her retirement from athletics and says she has “no regrets” after a glittering career.
The 30-year-old won heptathlon gold for Great Britain at the London Olympics in 2012 and a silver medal in Rio in August.
Ennis also won gold at the World Championships in 2009 and 2015 and the 2010 European Championships.
"Amazing memories...from my first world title in Berlin 2009 to Rio 2016 I'm so fortunate to have had such an amazing career within the sport I love and this has been one of the toughest decisions I've had to make," she said on her Instagram page.
"But I know that retiring now is right. I've always said I want to leave my sport on a high and have no regrets and I can truly say that.
"I want to thank my family and incredible team who have spent so much of their time supporting me and enabling me to achieve my dreams. Also a huge thank you to all those people who have supported and followed my career over the years."
An official statement released by Ennis-Hill also said she is excited about the future and plans to spend as much time with her family as possible.
"I think for any sportsperson the decision to retire has to be one of the toughest you will ever have to make, and I have taken my time to come to the decision that I am now ready to step away from the track and competing," the statement said.
"Winning a silver medal in Rio after my world title in 2015 was very special and capped what has been the most amazing career in athletics - one that I am hugely proud of and grateful for.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to my family and team who have helped me at all stages of my career, and above all my coach, Toni Minichiello, who has coached me since I was 12 years old. And last but not least I want to thank the many people who have supported me along the way.
"Now I have come to this decision I am feeling really excited about the future.
"In the short term I plan to spend as much time with my family as possible, and also find ways to share the positive benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle with as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities."
