• London Olympics 2012

Danvers announces her retirement

ESPN staff
June 17, 2012
Natasha Danvers won 400 metres hurdles bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 © Getty Images
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Olympic bronze medallist Natasha Danvers has retired from athletics after losing her battle to be fit for London 2012.

Danvers, 34, who won a 400 metres hurdles bronze at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, has been blighted by injury over recent years.

She said: "It's extremely disappointing not to be able to put myself into contention for selection for London 2012. Based on my training at different stages my coach and I believed we had a genuine chance of making it. But the setbacks have been too many to overcome.

"Since winning Olympic bronze in Beijing I have made so many sacrifices to fulfil my dream of competing in London. Making the decision to relocate back to the UK meant leaving my seven-year-old son behind in America, which is the hardest thing in the world to do.

"But we genuinely believed I could step onto that podium again ... Sadly my body has had enough."

Danvers also claimed Commonwealth Games silver in Melbourne 2006 - and Charles Van Commenee, Great Britain's head coach, has paid tribute to what she achieved in her career.

"We don't have too many current Olympic medallists in our team and in an ideal world they would all be with us in London," he said. "Tasha knows what it takes to be competitive and make the podium, which would have been a huge advantage.

"Retirement is a hard decision for any athlete, but when the decision is taken out of your hands so close to an Olympic Games it must be even tougher. I wish Tasha all the very best."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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