21 July 2009

Former World 400m finalist Tim Benjamin has announced his retirement with immediate effect. The 27 year old who also won World youth gold and European junior gold has called time on his career due to a succession of injuries.

He said:  “The injuries and illnesses I have endured over the last four years have been well documented, with my absence from last summer’s Olympics Games representing the pinnacle of disappointment and frustration.

“Although this decision may seem sudden, it is the culmination of incessant setbacks. I have already talked about how my 2008 disappointment almost caused me to leave the sport, but I was determined to end my career on my own terms when the time arrived.

“I feel incredibly proud that I have come back from a very difficult period in my life to achieve the qualifying time for the 2009 IAAF World T&F Championships and win the European Cup for my country. Taking an individual or relay spot in Berlin from an aspiring 2012 Olympian would be disingenuous and unfair when I am unable to enjoy competing the way I used to.”

Benjamin’s best year in the sport was 2005 when he reached the 400m final at the IAAF World Championships and also took the scalp of Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner at the London Grand Prix. He also won 200m gold at the 1999 World Youth Championships, 400m gold at the 2001 European Junior Championships and 400m silver at the 2003 European U23 Championships.