Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced her retirement from athletics

By Allan Valente

A look back at the career of Jessica Ennis-Hill as the former Olympic heptathlon champion retires from athletics

Jessica Ennis-Hill has announced her retirement from athletics and says she has “no regrets” after a glittering career.

The 30-year-old won heptathlon gold for Great Britain at the London Olympics in 2012 and a silver medal in Rio in August.

Ennis also won gold at the World Championships in 2009 and 2015 and the 2010 European Championships.

Image: Ennis-Hill is a former World and European champion

"Amazing memories...from my first world title in Berlin 2009 to Rio 2016 I'm so fortunate to have had such an amazing career within the sport I love and this has been one of the toughest decisions I've had to make," she said on her Instagram page.

"But I know that retiring now is right. I've always said I want to leave my sport on a high and have no regrets and I can truly say that.

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"I want to thank my family and incredible team who have spent so much of their time supporting me and enabling me to achieve my dreams. Also a huge thank you to all those people who have supported and followed my career over the years."

An official statement released by Ennis-Hill also said she is excited about the future and plans to spend as much time with her family as possible.

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"I think for any sportsperson the decision to retire has to be one of the toughest you will ever have to make, and I have taken my time to come to the decision that I am now ready to step away from the track and competing," the statement said.

"Winning a silver medal in Rio after my world title in 2015 was very special and capped what has been the most amazing career in athletics - one that I am hugely proud of and grateful for.

Image: Ennis-Hill poses on the podium after winning gold in 2012

"I would like to say a huge thank you to my family and team who have helped me at all stages of my career, and above all my coach, Toni Minichiello, who has coached me since I was 12 years old.  And last but not least I want to thank the many people who have supported me along the way.

"Now I have come to this decision I am feeling really excited about the future.

"In the short term I plan to spend as much time with my family as possible, and also find ways to share the positive benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle with as many people as possible, of all ages and abilities."

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