Olympic Gold Medalist Retires Before the London Games

Setbacks with her left knee made it impossible for Shawn Johnson to compete in the upcoming London Olympic Games.

The gold medalist announced her retirement on Sunday, due to complications with her left knee. She said her injury made contending for a spot at the London Games impossible. Also, she felt that it was risking her long-term health.

“I’d like to be 30 and have kids and run around with them. It became more about my future life than this future one moment. I’m looking at the bigger picture of things.” Johnson told the Associated Press.

After winning four medals in 2008 at the Beijing Games, Johnson took the next two years off. She won “Dancing With the Stars”, which has catapulted her into the celebrity life.

Johnson didn’t realize that she actually wanted to compete this year until she blew her knee out in a January 2010 skiing accident. After learning the news, Johnson’s gymnastics coach began to plot a comeback.

Then, reality set in.  If she wanted to compete in London, she would have to get an entire knee reconstruction. Subsequently, Johnson decided to think about her future personal life over her sport.

“We’re going to truly miss her, but we realize life is going on and we want to wish her the very best.” stated Liang Chow, Johnson’s gymnastics coach.