French Olympic champion Le Pennec retires

27 September 2007

PARIS (AFP) – French Olympic gymnastic champion Emilie Le Pennec announced her international retirement on Thursday after a series of injuries.

The 19-year-old, who won gold on the uneven bars at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2005 European championships, did not compete in the world gymnastic championships in Stuttgart at the beginning of the month.

Le Pennec, who is studying physiotherapy, said she will continue to train with her club US Creteil and will do several exhibition events.

Asked about not defending her title in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Le Pennec emphasised that the French team had qualified without her help at the championships in Stuttgart.

“I think that it would have been difficult to enter the team for Beijing,” added Le Pennec.

AFP

Subject: French news