OLYMPIC DIVER CALLS TIME ON CAREER
Three-time Olympic diver Tony Ally has announced his retirement
after more than twenty years competing at the highest level
of his sport.
The City of Sheffield diver decided to call time on his career
after failing to recover from a recurring knee injury that
has been causing him problems since the British Diving Championships
last December.
A springboard specialist, Ally became the first British diver
to win a European title, claiming gold in the 3m Individual
at the 1999 European Championships. More recently, he won
silver at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in the 3m and 1m individual.
Then added synchro silver in 2006 with partner Mark Shipman.
But Ally feels now is the right time to bow out of the sport
he has loved since he was 9-years-old.
"It is a disappointment to be retiring a year before
Beijing, it would have been amazing to compete in my fourth
Olympics," he admitted. "I would have enjoyed competing
with Nick in the 3m synchro, which was planned as my final
event."
"But after my most recent scan on my knee it was clear
that I wouldn't be able to come back from this injury. I have
been working hard on it but I now know it is time for me to
throw in the towel."
During his career Ally has attended three Olympics, two World
Championships, five Commonwealth Games and five European Championships
and has won six major international medals.
"My proudest moment was carrying the English flag out
at the Commonwealth Games in 2006. It was such an honour to
lead the team.
"I also really savoured collecting my European gold
on 3m individual in 1999. I was the first British male to
be crowned European Champion and I worked hard to get to that
point. I was recovering from a bad injury and I don't think
it was expected for me to go out and get gold - it was a great
moment."
Ally has already been working with some of the country's
most promising youngsters, providing support to synchro pairings
and hopes to remain in the sport he has devoted his life to.
"I have had a 20 year career that I have loved and I
have been so lucky to have worked with some great people along
the way. I have been working as a mentor with some really
good athletes in Sheffield such as Nick Robinson-Baker and
Jodie McGroarty. I am looking forward to continuing my role
as a coach for British Diving.
British Diving National Performance Director Steve Foley
paid tribute to the Olympian and commended his desire for
success.
"Tony carried on the tradition of great springboard
divers in this country," he said. "He has made a
large impact on British Diving not just in terms of his proven
track record in international competitions but also his influence
on junior divers.
"Tony was not your textbook springboard diver but he
proved it wrong and gained considerable success - giving our
juniors the inspiration to go out and do the same.
"He has had a career spanning over 20 years which is
such an impressive achievement on its own and he has dominated
the British Diving team. I know his passion and commitment
will be missed by everyone involved in the sport."
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