Olympic gold medalist Shona McCallin announces retirement from international Hockey
Posted : 17 October 2023
Olympic gold medalist Shona McCallin has officially announced her retirement from international hockey. The 31-year-old athlete was a vital part of the Team GB squad that secured the top spot on the podium at the 2016 Olympics in Rio by defeating the Netherlands.
McCallin, who boasts an impressive tally of 122 international caps representing both Great Britain and England, also achieved a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In her statement, McCallin shared, "This decision hasn't been made lightly, but after extensive contemplation, I now realize that the time is right. Over the past few months, I've come to understand that I no longer possess the mental and physical energy required to be a part of the central program. I'm not the type of person who can commit to something at 80% or 90%."
McCallin faced a challenging period when she was sidelined for 17 months due to injury, missing both the Commonwealth Games and the Women's Hockey World Cup in 2018. This unfortunate hiatus was the result of a concussion she sustained while playing for the England team earlier that year.
Despite her determination to make a comeback, McCallin stated, "It's now time to pass on the number 24 shirt to a new talent, someone I hope will wear it with the same level of pride, tenacity, and determination that I exhibited in every single match."
McCallin also revealed her intention to continue her involvement in the sport by playing and coaching for Reading Hockey Club.
England and Great Britain Hockey performance director Ed Barney praised McCallin, saying, "Shona has made an outstanding contribution to England and Great Britain Hockey during a period of remarkable achievements in women's sports. Her impact on European, Commonwealth, and Olympic championships, as well as her commitment to a values-driven program, has been truly exceptional."
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