maandag 8 december 2008

Surprise retirement


Tia Hellebaut surprised the world when winning the Olympic high jump gold in Beijing this august. Yesterday, at a press conference with the local media Tia pulled another big upset. Hellebaut, the reigning Olympic and European high jump champion as well as winner of the world indoor hepthatlon gold medal, has decided to put an immediate end to her career. She is 3 months pregnant with her first child and feels she lacks the motivation to continue competing at the highest level. Talking about post Olympic euphoria, coach and parter is the father.
It's a sad day for Belgian athletics as they lose yet again one of their biggest champions. Earlier this season superstar Kim Gevaert had already stepped off the track and into motherhood. I wish both these extraordinary woman all the best in their future endeavours. May they enjoy the same success in their daily life as they have in their respective events.