Chinese diver Chen Ruolin has announced her retirement from the sport. Chen was one of the most successful divers in history but, at age 23, decided that it would be “impossible” to continue due to a neck injury.
“When this day arrived I never thought it would be so tranquil,” she said in a post on her verified Weibo account. “I choose to retire. Thanks everyone for your care and support. Thank you to my family who supported me all these years, and finally, thanks to diving.”
Chen has won five Olympic gold medals, including three straight in the 10-meter synchro platform. She also won golds on the individual 10-meter in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London and is a five-time synchro platform World Champion. She was named FINA Diver of the Year in 2010.
Chinese diving team manager Zhou Jihong told the South China Morning Post that Chen “could still have a lot more to offer due to her age, skills and experience in the sport,” but she knew as soon as the Rio Olympics concluded that it was time to retire.
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