Rutherford to retire at end of season

Greg Rutherford has announced his impending retirement from athletics, bringing the curtain down on one of Britain’s most successful track and field careers.

Long jumper Rutherford, 31, became only the fifth British athlete to complete a “grand slam” of world, Olympic, Commonwealth and European titles but has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.

He was unable to compete at last year’s World Championships and has jumped outdoors just twice this summer, as an ankle problem has taken its toll and prevented him from training in a sandpit. He is targeting one final medal at August’s European Championships in Berlin before calling it a day at the end of the season.

Rutherford’s retirement means all three of Britain’s “Super Saturday” gold medallists from the London 2012 Olympics will soon be absent from the track, with Jessica Ennishill also retired and Mo Farah having moved to road racing.

“I’m incredibly proud of my career,” said Rutherford. “I’ve achieved so much but retirement comes early to those of us for whom sport is a livelihood.

“It only feels like yesterday I was winning my first major medal but now, 12 years on, I sit here as the greatest long jumper Great Britain has ever had, one of the most successful in European history and someone ready to hang the spikes up for good.

“I’m going to go for the European Championships one final time. Then I’ll also be jumping in Birmingham and London for the Diamond Leagues. If you fancy coming to watch me compete one last time then please do come on down and give me a wave. It’d be so great to finish with some roaring crowds.

“Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It has been a blast.”