Bergqvist announces retirement in Stockholm

Former world and European high-jump champion Kajsa Bergqvist has announced her retirement from athletics.

The 31-year-old Swede has been one of the most prominent figures in the high jump in recent years and was expected to challenge at this summer’s Olympics in Beijing.

But Bergqvist, whose final appearance was in Zurich last September, admits she no longer has the desire to compete at the highest level.

“This is a decision which has been developing since autumn,” she said in a statement posted on www.friidrott.se, the official website of the Swedish Athletics Federation.

“I found it hard to feel the right level of passion during 2007 so I decided to take a break of a few months after my last competition in the summer.

“I wanted the desire to return on its own but it never did, and I no longer have the same motivation I had to be able to continue.

“Physically I have no problems – no injuries or anything – I simply no longer have the passion to carry on.

“When you’ve done something for so long at the highest level there comes a point when you feel you have to end it. And that’s where I am now.”

Bergqvist came to the fore with a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics before claiming the European outdoor title two years later.

The pinnacle of her career was at the 2005 World Championships when she secured the gold medal, while she also has two world indoor titles and a European indoor crown to her name.