Greg Rutherford announces plans to try track cycling and leave long-jump behind
The athlete with an illustrious athletics career will be hanging up his long-jump spikes and trading them for cycling shoes
GREG RUTHERFORD had an emotional goodbye at the London stadium today, but announced that at 31 he's not ready to give up on sport completely.
Although his body is struggling to support his long-jump career, the Olympian announced that he has less niggles on a bike and is looking to begin a career as a track cyclist.
Speaking on the , Rutherford announced that he wouldn't be competing in the European championships later this month, in Berlin, after feeling aches and pains while competing today.
Instead of defending his crown, he shared his plans to head to Manchester for selection in order to attempt to launch a career as a track cyclist.
The 2012 long-jump champion was at pains to assure viewers that he knew it wouldn't be an easy transition and didn't expect to become the best in the world overnight, but he wanted to savour the experience.
Rutherford was very optimistic and although he hasn't yet cycled in a velodrome, he seems excited about the next chapter in his life.
He wouldn't be the first 2012 gold medallist to attempt a move into a new sport, Usain Bolt's attempts to move into football have been heavily publicised.
And Victoria Pendleton has made moves in the equestrian circuit, while Chris Hoy has switched two wheels for four and become a racing driver.
Lizzy Yarnold is proof that a top level athlete can switch disciplines having finished her career as a heptathlete only to become a two-time Olympic skeleton champion.
But it was Rebecca Romero's switch from Olympic silver medalist in rowing to track cycling gold just four years later that inspired Rutherford.
The IAAF Anniversary Games was Rutherford's final opportunity to perform in the stadium where he won his gold Olympic medal on 'super Saturday' six years ago.
He rightly lapped up the atmosphere and became emotional when he was greeting and waving to fans.
Savouring every last minute, the athlete's son then followed in his Dad's footsteps by launching himself into the long-jump pit, much to the amusement of the London crowd.
Social media was awash with fans congratulating the athlete on his impressive career that has seen him become; World champion, European champion, Commonwealth champion and Olympic champion.