London 2012 bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz announces retirement

British high jumper Robbie Grabarz has announced his retirement.

The 30-year-old won Olympic bronze at London 2012 and came fourth at the Rio Games two years ago.

He also won gold at the European Championships in 2012 and silver in 2016 while Grabarz also collected silver at the World Indoors in 2016.

Grabarz, who also claimed European Indoor silver last year, said: “I’m glad I got myself back into shape this winter – I needed to do that so I knew if it didn’t work it wasn’t through injury.

“I’d got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying competing and didn’t want it anymore.

“I’ve seen people carry on too long past the point of enjoyment and there is no need, life is too short and I want to feel positive about my time competing.

“I’ve had a great time in the sport – 20 years’ worth – and have genuinely loved jumping.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who I have worked with, had support off and known within the sport.

“There was a point in 2011 when I thought I was done then, so to get almost another seven years in the sport was pretty special.”

He became European champion for the first time in Helsinki in 2012 – the first British male winner in 62 years – clearing 2.31m to win for his first senior international title.

Later that year he jumped 2.29m to share bronze with Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim at the London Olympics.

His last major competition was last month’s Commonwealth Games where he came sixth.

British Athletics performance director Neil Black said: “Robbie has been at the top of the sport for a number of years and it is with sadness we see him retire but I want to congratulate him on a fantastic career spanning a number of years.

“He has a big character and a big heart, and has been a key addition to British teams for more than a decade.”