Double Olympic champion Heather Stanning has announced her retirement from rowing.
The 31-year-old, who will continue serving as a major in the British Army, won Olympic gold in the women's pair with Helen Glover at Rio 2016, adding to the gold that the duo sealed in London four years ago.
Stanning and Glover were unbeaten from 2011, but the pair will now split as the former focuses her career elsewhere.
"I started rowing for the social and fun side of the sport at university, but [coach] Paul Stannard showed me I had potential in the sport and guided me through my early years, at U23s and then onto the senior team," Stanning said in a statement.
"Winning with Olivia [Whitlam] at U23s sparked a desire within me to aspire for bigger things. I must also thank Eira [Parry] and Miles [Forbes-Thomas] for their help and coaching as Helen and I started out with the team, but partnering with Helen and Robin [Williams] has been the dream career. I could not have wished for anyone else to share the Olympic journey with."
Glover said: "Heather has been my teammate for six years and in that time has been my voice of logic, a driving force, my friend, and my maid of honour.
"I'm fortunate enough to have sat at the start line of two Olympic Games with Heather. There is nobody else I would have wanted in the boat with me in those moments. She is dependable, determined, and a formidable athlete. The Army has given us both incredible support and I am sure she will continue to flourish in her career.
"Thank you, Heather, not just for the success we shared, but for making it the most fun journey possible."
Stanning also won two World Championship titles as well as 10 golds in the World Cup between 2011 and 2016.
Danielle Joynson
