Sara Carrigan retires

2004 Olympic Champion Sara Carrigan OAM today announced her retirement from professional cycling.

The28 year old has enjoyed stellar career on the bike representingAustralia at eight World Championships, two Commonwealth Games and twoOlympic Games. In Athens she claimed gold in the road race and at the2006 Commonwealth Games she placed third in the time trial.

Carriganhas twice been the Australian Champion in the road time trial and,apart from 2007 when she took a break from racing, has been on thepodium every year since 2001 including this year when she placed secondin the time trial and third in the road race. She also amassed a hostof victories in international races around the world.

"I amexcited about my new adventures but it is sad and emotional for me tolet go and say good bye to what has been half my life," Carrigan said."I'd like to thank everyone for their support, they have helped make mewho I am today.

"The thought of life as a ‘non-full time’athlete is overwhelming but also exciting," she admitted. "It is hardto leave something that I love so much, that has allowed me to achieveone of my life dreams but I am an ‘all-or-nothing' person.

"I'min it to be the best and if I feel I don't have that kind of focus orcommitment to win and conquer all, it is the right time for me to walkaway," she explained. "I am open to the possibility of competing infuture competitions but my full time competitiveness is now over.

"Ihave enjoyed a rather quiet time since returning home from Beijing,"said the Queenslander. "I've been able to relax and breathe again afterthe very intense period of pre-Games focus.

"I have also beendealing the feelings you have post-Games but I had the experience ofdealing with these emotions and sensations when Athens came and went,"she said. " But it's been amplified this time round with thoughts ofretirement."

Carrigan will now focus on completing her Bachelorof Business degree (majoring in Property and Development) at GriffithUniversity.

"I have discovered an enthusiasm and a passion forthe property industry so I will move forward with that," she said. "ButI will also continue to speak at schools as part of the Gold MedalMessages Program and perhaps start a ‘riding school’ to teach bothyoung and new riders the rules of the road and technical aspects ofriding a bike."