Olympic medalist Lasikene ponders accelerated retirement
Marina Lasitskene Contemplates Retirement from High Jump
In a surprising development, Russian high jump champion, Marina Lasitskene, has expressed doubts about her future in athletics. The three-time Olympic gold and five-time World Championship titleholder clarified that her decision to take a break stemmed from a lack of motivation for domestic events. However, she remained non-committal about completely retiring.
"I am adhering to my health plan, but I cannot predict when I might return to competitive jumping or if I will at all," said the 32-year-old athlete in an interview with TASS.
An illustrious career spanning over a decade has seen Lasitskene clinch numerous championships. Her achievements include Olympic gold at Tokyo-2020, five World Championship titles, and four European Championship titles, which include the team championship in 2015. The High Jump queen has been absent from competition since August 2024. In her last season, Lasitskene secured silver at both the summer and winter Russian Championships, despite an injury that sidelined her during the BRICS Games in June 2023.
During this crucial juncture for Russian athletes, the international competition ban has been a significant factor in Lasitskene's career evaluation. The limitations in competing at the highest level under the Russian flag may have expedited her consideration of retirement. At present, there are no indications of specific future endeavors or plans beyond high jumping.
A challenging period for athletes from Russia, the ongoing restrictions have precipitated reevaluations of career paths for many athletes forced to compete under altered circumstances. While some may choose to retire, others might pursue alternative career avenues such as coaching or sports management, or competing under a different national representation if possible. However, Lasitskene's specific plans remain undisclosed.
Bookmakers worldwide might see a shift in the high jump betting markets, as Marina Lasitskene's potential retirement could leave an impact on sports events, given her extensive history of victories in sports competitions. In the event of her retirement, some bookmakers might offer odds on her future endeavors, possibly related to sports, such as coaching or sports management.
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