Denise Lewis in Sheffield (© Getty Images)
Sydney Olympic Heptathlon champion Denise Lewis has announced her retirement.
The 32-year-old, told The Times newspaper in London on Wednesday: "My body has had enough, it has been through the mill."
Lewis said she made the decision after missing three weeks of training with a tonsil infection which meant she would be unable to qualify for the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Helsinki, Finland (6 – 14 August).
"After so many setbacks, the messages come through loud and clear, I was lying in the hospital bed, thinking 'Somebody somewhere is telling me it is not meant to be'. I am thinking about my future and a future that does not include athletics in a participation role. It is time to say goodbye.”
"The last four years have been mostly disappointments, even though my application has been 100 percent." concluded Lewis.
Agencies and BBC
