AMSTERDAM: Two-time world champion sprinter Dafne Schippers, known as the “Flying Dutchwoman”, announced her retirement on Tuesday, telling her social media followers “the race stops here”.

The 31-year-old from the Netherlands won gold in the 200m at the 2015 World Championship in Beijing and again in London two years later. She was also the silver medallist in the 200m at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as she was pipped at the line by Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson-Herah.

“The race stops here. As an athlete, you always know this day will come, that at one point, your career will be a moment in time,” Schippers wrote on Instagram.

“Today, I have decided to take my life off track to pursue and embrace whatever comes next, but not without saying a massive thank you for all the endless support. It has been a journey without regret.”

Schippers was never able to keep up her place among the top sprinters after being plagued by injuries. Persistent back problems bothered her in recent years and because of her injuries, she has not competed for a year.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023