Former 100m champ Greene quits
Monday, 04 Feb 2008 11:36
Maurice Greene forced to quit athletics due to series of injuries
Former 100-metre world record holder and Olympic champion Maurice Greene has retired from athletics following a series of injury problems.
The 33-year-old has endured a frustrating last two years in which he has been unable to compete on a regular basis.
As a result he has chosen to quit competitive sport and focus on a coaching career and pursuing business interests, passing up the opportunity to run for the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"It's sad for me but I've had a great career. Because of my injuries, it's better to call it quits," he said.
"I don't think I can have that mental battle with myself coming back from injury any more. It takes a lot out of you mentally... you start getting down and then you get depressed.
"This is Olympic year, which is something I wanted to do so badly. But I have just decided to call it quits... I want other people in the sport to shine."
Greene has endured a star-studded career in track and field.
In 1999, he smashed the 100m world record when he ran the distance in 9.79 seconds, beating Donovan Bailey's time of 9.84secs and reducing the record by the largest amount since electronic timing was introduced.
Greene also holds gold medals for the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athens in 1997, Seville in 1999 and Edmonton in 2001.
In Seville he also won gold in the 200m and the 4x100m relay as well as earning two more Olympic medals at the 2004 Athens Games - a silver in the 4x100m relay and a bronze in the 100m.