LEGG STEPS DOWN FROM SWIMMING ELITE
Multi-Commonwealth medal winner Karen Legg announced her
decision to retire from swimming this weekend at the Dorset
County Championships in Littledown.
The 26-year-old Ferndown Otter has enjoyed a seven-year career
at international level and was the most decorated British
swimmer at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester where
she won five medals, one of them gold, to add to the two she
won at the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Having taught herself to swim at the age of 12, Legg's story
is one of determination and a work ethic that has seen her
win two world titles and two World Records with the British
4x200m freestyle squad in 2000 and 2001.
Her decision follows months of agonising in the wake of a
disappointing Olympic Games in Athens.
"I took four months off after Athens, then decided to
give it one more go to try to get to the Commonwealth Games
in Melbourne next year," she said.
"I've trained hard since the new year and done some
good times and tried to enjoy it, but in my heart I knew it
wasn't like it used to be and that I didn't have the drive
I had years ago.
"I'm nearly 27 and I've probably done more than many
people do in a lifetime - including travelling the world through
my sport.
"But if you are not happy doing what you are doing,
you have to do something about it, and that's the point I
have reached.
"I'm really upset about it. It's going to leave a big
gap in my life, like getting a divorce or ending a relationship.
"But even if I went to Melbourne, I can't see myself
beating what I did in Manchester."
Legg paid tribute to her coaches, particularly Laurie Dormer,
who took her from mediocrity to the brink of national success
with Dolphins, and Otters' Tony Watson, who has guided her
every move since 1997.
"Laurie helped with my technique and we had a good relationship
but the time came when I had to move on," she said.
"Tony and I are a complete unit. He's like a best friend.
I can talk to him and trust him on any issue, both in the
pool and out of it."
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