Jessica Ennis-Hill has finally ended weeks and months of speculation over her future by announcing her retirement from athletics.

The 30 year-old hangs up her spikes after an 11-year career in the sport, having won five gold medals, three silvers and one bronze.

Ennis-Hill won Olympic Gold during her home games at London 2012 and retires a former two-time World Champion.

One of the toughest decisions I've had to make

Announcing her decision on social media, Ennis-Hill said it was ''one of the toughest decisions I've had to make." And adding: "I've always said I wanted to leave on a high and have no regrets".

After being pipped in retaining her Olympic crown in Rio, Ennis-Hill set tongues wagging after being interviewed by BBC Sport at the conclusion of her heptathlon competition, where she suggested she might be about to call time on her career.

With the World Championships in London next year, Ennis-Hill described the meet as 'a big draw' but has instead elected to call it a day.

Five golds in glittering career

The Sheffield athlete has won five titles durin her illustrious career. Winning her first gold at the Worlds' in Berlin in 2009, Ennis-Hill become European Champion the year after. 

Following a winter of injury in 2010, she had to settle for silver in Daegu ten months later. 

Ennis-Hill famously won gold at London 2012 during 'Super Saturday' (photo:getty)
Ennis-Hill famously won gold at London 2012 during 'Super Saturday' (photo:getty)

A then fully-fit Jessica Ennis-Hill won Olympic Gold in London on 'Super Saturday' inside the Olympic Stadium.

After returning from the birth of her first child, she then won her second world title in Beijing last year, with a total of 6,669 points ahead of Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton.

'So fortunate to have had an amazing career'

In her full statement via Instagram, Ennis-Hill told of her amazing memories.

"From my first world title in Berlin 2009 to Rio 2016 I'm so fortunate to have had such an amazing career within the sport I love and this has been one of the toughest decisions I've had to make"

The 30 year-old however explained her decision, stating that "retiring now is right. I've always said I want to leave my sport on a high and have no regrets and I can truly say that".

Ennis-Hill added, "I want to thank my family and incredible team who have spent so much of their time supporting me and enabling me to achieve my dreams".

She finished by thanking her fans and supperters. "Also a huge thank you to all those people who have supported and followed my career over the years."

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About the author
Neil Leverett
33 year old writer living in London. Arsenal fan but all rounder, specializing in sporting analysis, in particular football.