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Ex-Strictly star Louis Smith announces retirement from gymnastics saying winning dance show ‘opened doors for him’ ahead of West End appearance
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Louis Smith has announced he is retiring from gymnastics to star in the West End.
The 29-year-old confirmed he won't be competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo as he revealed the BBC dance show has "opened doors for him".
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Speaking on Lorraine earlier today, the two-time Olympic silver medallist, 29, said he was ending his gymnastics career on a high.
He said: "I think I’m a baby in the grand scheme of things but in the sporting world, I’m getting on a little bit.
“It was a tough decision. Last year, I had the mindset that given the time around now, I was going get back into training and push for 2020.
"The whole qualification process has changed there was a minuscule chance I would even qualify. I thought I would give it a chance.
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"Then new opportunities come up and you have to make smart life choices, I can’t keep putting on a leotard!”
Louis added: “Three Olympic Games, four medals, it’s been a hard career, but it’s been a very fun one and very rewarding. I wouldn’t have made it if it hadn’t been for my coach, my mum, my friends."
He also spoke about his first appearance on the West End in show Rip It Up.
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The athlete said: "They gave me dates and when it might be, and that clashed with going back into [gymnastics] training."
He added that appearing on Strictly and winning the show in 2012 had "opened doors for him".
Gymnast Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace get perfect score on Strictly Come Dancing
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It comes after Louis revealed exclusively to The Sun's Fabulous magazine that he suffers from insomnia.
He said: "If I’m lucky I’ll get four hours’ sleep, but some nights I can lie there for nine hours and not get a wink.
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"Most of the time I’m up at 11am, but if I haven’t slept at all then I’ll start my day a bit earlier.
"The first thing I do is let out my husky dog Luna before having a glass of orange juice. I’m lucky that my mum Elaine, 53, will look after Luna if my schedule gets too packed.
"I always eat pretty clean. When I’m being really strict I’ll have porridge with berries, but my favourite breakfast is avocado on toast with duck eggs."
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