The 2014 European 100m Champion, James Dasaolu who suffered a serious Achilles tendon in 2018 has finally given up on athletics career after unsuccessful attempt to rediscover his form. He announced his retirement earlier today.
After the his injury in 2018 A GoFundMe page was subsequently set-up for the £25,000 in costs that was needed to fund emergency surgery on the tendon.
Dasaolu has since recovered from the injury and raced in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
His last event was the BoXX United Manchester Indoor Tour earlier in January.
Dasaolu said, “Athletics has given me a chance to represent my country numerous times and has given me so many great memories which I will forever treasure. Now it is time to hang up my spikes. I would like to thank the many people around me who have supported me throughout my career. Special thanks to my family & friends who were always there for me. Super excited for what the future holds in helping the next generation of athletes.”
Dasaolu retires as the joint second quickest British man of all-time. His 9.91 clocking at the British Championships in 2013 still stands as the next fastest time, jointly with Zharnel Hughes, after Linford Christie’s 9.87s national record.
During an illustrious career, the Croydon athlete has competed at two Olympic Games in both London and Rio de Janeiro, reaching the semi-final stage on both occasions in the 100m.
He is a two-time European gold medallist, winning individual gold in 2014 at GB & NI’s most successful Championships in Zurich, and 4x100m relay gold two years later.
Moreover, he won European Indoor 60m silver in 2013 at the Championships in Gothenburg in Sweden. His 60m personal best of 6.47s also ranks him fourth on the UK all-time list over the distance.
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