Nina Derwael has retired

[Rich]

(VRT is the is one of the public service broadcasters in Belgium, it's a reliable source)

"I've achieved what I wanted and was able to achieve. I've been able to prove what I was capable of," Nina Derwael says, summarizing why she's retiring from top-level gymnastics. At the European Championships in Leipzig, she won two gold medals "based on experience," but the tournament, she says, made her "realize that I can't do any better."

"Up until today, I've always been thrilled to go to the gymnastics hall, simply because I love it so much and because I had a perspective. The European Championships in Leipzig was one such goal, although I hadn't dared count on gold. As a precaution, I'd only been able to train my final routine to the fullest a few times, and I was competing purely on experience. It made me realize that I can't do better. If I want to play a significant role at a World Championship (or the Olympics), I have to put even more and longer strain on my body, and I don't want to take that risk any longer. In recent weeks, my mind has increasingly asked: 'Isn't it enough? Is it worth risking my body?' To which I must finally conclude: it's enough. It's even very good."

 

[Sasha]

She also got married this past weekend.

 

[BB12]

What a great career.

 

[Amber]

Good for her! She had a great career, time for different things and letting her body get some rest. Great reflection after winning two golds..

 

[Ms Motts]

Wow, I did not see this coming so soon after her hard-fought comeback from injury. But she has had an amazing career - Olympic gold, two world's golds, a fistful of Euros golds. Good for her, for finishing on a high note. She's sounding excited about starting the next stage of her life.

 

[Passion]

I’m happy for such a nice ending to her career, going out on top and healthy.

 

[dweiss324]

I love her perspective.