Albert Demchenko announces retirement after medal success

Russian Federation luge competitor Albert Demchenko has announced that he is to retire after the Sochi Games, on the same day that he picked up a second silver medal.

Demchenko, who is competing at his seventh Winter Olympics, has fallen short of the gold medal at each of his previous Games.

However, the 42-year-old will go out on a high having won silver behind Felix Loch in the men's singles - becoming the oldest ever medallist in an individual event - while also picking up silver in the team relay event earlier today.

"Albert will finish his sporting career with these Olympics," Russian Luge Federation president Natalia Gart told R-Sport.

The news comes hours after figure skater Evgeny Plushenko called time on his career after pulling out of the men's short program through injury.