Ellie Downie, a former European champion, announced her retirement on 23 January 2023,聽from gymnastics at the age of 23 to “prioritise mental health.”
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During her senior career, Downie won 12 medals, including European gold in the all-around in 2017. She also has two bronze medals from the World Championships.
Downie says she has decided to retire with a “heavy heart and an array of emotions”. “After a tough last few years I’ve decided to prioritise my mental health and happiness,” Downie said.
“Gymnastics has been my life for as long as I can remember and I am proud of everything I was fortunate enough to achieve.” “Competing and winning medals for Great Britain has meant everything and more to me and I’ll miss it enormously.”
Thought it was time to update you all馃毃
Links for the podcast will be in my bio馃馃徏 pic.twitter.com/GhsSxn5TM1Advertisement
— Ellie Downie (@elliedownie) January 23, 2023
Chief executive of British Gymnastics Sarah Powell said Downie was a “trailblazer in how she has reflected on her experiences to challenge and push the sport of gymnastics forward.”
“Her bravery and honesty, privately and publicly, helps shape the future of our sport,” she said.
Powell added that Downie “produced history making performances on the world stage” and “helped lead a ground-breaking group of British women’s artistic gymnasts and in doing so inspired generations of younger gymnasts to reach their goals.”
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