Former World Indoor Champion Andrew Pozzi withdraws from Paris 2024 and announces retirement ahead of 4th Olympics appearance

Andrew Pozzi withdrew from the upcoming Paris Olympic Games and announced his retirement from track and Field. The Former World Indoor Champion was all set to compete in Paris however, he had to cut short his campaign which would have been his fourth appearance at the Olympics due to a serious ankle fracture during training.

Andrew Pozzi announced his retirement from the sport after getting injured during preparation for the Olympics as he felt that this would be the right moment to bid adieu to professional track and field. Despite struggling with injuries throughout his career, Pozzi put forward incredible performances and left a significant mark on the 110m and 60m hurdles.

He shared a detailed note on X, announcing his retirement as well as his struggles with injuries. Moreover, Pozzi was complacent about the fact that he was able to live the dreams of his 10-year-old self.

"It's with great sadness that I must decline my selection to represent Team GB and announce my withdrawal from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. After missing the 2023 season with serious Injury, I have battled exceptionally hard to return to the world stage and earn my place at what would have been my fourth Olympic Games," he wrote.

" Unfortunately, as I continued to build and improve upon my 13.23s clocking in Montgeron my body gave way in training to another serious ankle fracture," Injury has always been my greatest competitor over the last 17 years and whilst my history has been littered with serious difficulty, I am most proud of the resilience that I've shown and the achievements that I've amassed following such heartbreaks. I have never shied away from difficult, nor seemingly impossible tasks," read an expert from his detailed note.

Andrew Pozzi opens up on dealing with mental health struggles as an athlete

Andrew Pozzi at UK Athletics Indoor Championships - Day One

Andrew Pozzi has suffered several injuries throughout his career as an athlete. He spoke to BBC in an interview about the effect of injuries on the mental health of an athlete.

"I've had multiple foot surgeries and you know with regards to mental health it is so testing because as an athlete when you can't do what it is that you love, you lose your identity. It is really tough because you can't do the one thing that you are born to do, you're meant to do," he said.

After his announcement, Pozzi received great support from track and field fans online who wished him the best for his future endeavors.

Pozzi never won an Olympic medal during his career, with the hurdler's best performance being a seventh-place finish in Tokyo three years ago. The 32-year-old did win the 60m hurdles event at the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham while bagging a 110m hurdles bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the same venue.