Ashton Eaton and Brianne Thieson-Eaton have both announced their retirement from Athletics following years of success on the world stage.
Just months after the couple medalled at the Rio Olympics, the multi-eventers, both 28-years-old, broke the news of their decision to step away from the sport to their fans on their website.
Eaton leaves the sport as the Decathlon World Record holder, having retained his Olympic & World titles, and with 7 gold medals feels there is little left for him to accomplish:
“It’s my time to depart from athletics, to do something new,” said the Olympic Champion. “Frankly there isn’t much more I want to do in sport.”
I give everything to the decathlon. I did all I could. Thank u for making it the best time of my life. I’m retiring. https://t.co/x6kPMp9Jxz
— Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) January 4, 2017
His wife Brianne also called time on her Heptathlon career after picking up her first Olympic medal in Rio, where she won bronze:
“I no longer have the passion for track and field or the heptathlon that I used to because I know I can’t advance any further in the sport,”
“I’ve given it all I can, and I refuse to come back and half-ass it because I love and respect this event and sport too much.”
My passions & interests have changed. Track has given me so much, but it’s time to retire. Thank you for the journey https://t.co/QRMHLBiKc8
— BrianneTheisen-Eaton (@btheiseneaton) January 4, 2017
Her Rio medal adds to a collection of golds in the 2016 Portland Indoor World Championships and 2014 Commonwealth Games and a pair of World Championship silvers.
