Olympic champion gymnast Shawn Johnson retires

Sports

Olympic champion gymnast Shawn Johnson retires

Close

Johnson announced her decision four days before the start of the US championships.

04 June,2012 11:50 am

Shawn Johnson, the former world champion and 2008 Olympic all-round runner-up attempting a London Olympics comeback, announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics on Sunday.A nagging left knee injured Johnsons dream of returning from a hiatus last year and reaching next months London Olympics, leaving her with three world titles and one gold and three Olympic silver medals for her career.I still have the heart, drive and desire to compete and help the USA at the London Olympics, Johnson said.Unfortunately, it has become obvious that my left knee is not able to sustain the demands of gymnastics any longer. All I can do now is gracefully retire and thank everyone who has believed in me and my journey.After having first injured her left knee in a 2010 skiing accident, Johnson had concerns that she would risk long-term damage by continuing her career.Johnson announced her decision four days before the start of the US championships, a key event in the American Olympic qualifying process.Im announcing this now so the focus for the next three weeks will be on the incredibly talented gymnasts who are trying to make our 2012 Olympic team, Johnson said.Johnson took Beijing Olympic silver in the all-around behind compatriot Nastia Liukin, helped the Americans to silver in the team event and took silver in floor exercise before claiming gold in the balance beam.She took a hiatus from the sport, during which she won the 2009 Dancing With the Stars television dance crown, and returned last year to help the United States defend the Pan American Games title she was part of capturing in 2007.Shawn is one of our countrys most popular gymnasts and she has been an integral part of the USAs success, USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said.At the 2007 world championships in Germany, Johnson won the all-around and floor exercise crowns and helped the Americans take the team title.Shawn has brought much joy, grace, energy and great success to the gymnastics world, said Liang Chow, who has coached Johnson since she began in gymnastics.My wife, Li, and I have enjoyed the many years we have had working with her. Shawns dedication to gymnastics and work ethic make her a great example for future generations to follow. Although her gymnastics career is over and we will miss her, we believe an even brighter future is waiting for her.