Dafne Schippers ends her competitive athletics career

Two-time world sprint champion Dafne Schippers has announced the end of her sporting career, telling her followers on social media that “the race stops here”. The 31-year-old Dutch sprinter won gold in the 200m at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and again in London two years later. She is also a silver medalist in the 200m at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

“The race stops there. As an athlete, you always know that day will come, that at some point your career will end and all you’ll be left with is a collection of memories and medals. Today, I’ve decided to continue my life off the track to pursue whatever comes next , but not without saying a huge thank you for all the endless support”, wrote Dafne Schippers in the social media announcing her retiring.

She was never able to maintain her place among the top female sprinters after being plagued by injuries. A lot of back problems have plagued her in recent years and due to the injuries she has not competed for a year.

Dafne Schippers is also 2016 Diamond League 200m champion, won two silver and two bronze medals at world championships (heptathlon bronze in 201, 100m silver in 2015, indoor 60m silver in 2016 and 100m bronze in 2017), and five (outdoor and indoor) European titles. She won twenty-two Dutch titles (outdoor and indoor).