http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/19514-athlete-retirement.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/int/subjects/19514-athlete-retirement.html http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html Like his former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, David Beckham has picked the right time and best way to retire — as a winner and before the worst ravages of age became painfully apparent. It always was a stretch to believe that Beckham, at 38, would or should sign up again with Paris Saint-Germain for what would have been his 22nd season of professi... Thu, 16 May 2013 21:48:10 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2091720-column-love-hate-beckham-ignored.html 2013-05-16T21:48:10Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090272-beckham-to-retire-football-season.html LONDON (AP) — David Beckham is retiring from soccer, ending a career in which he transcended the sport with forays into fashion and a marriage to a pop star that made him a global celebrity. The 38-year-old former England captain, who recently won a league title in a fourth country with Paris Saint-Germain, said Thursday he will retire after the season. "... Thu, 16 May 2013 17:15:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090272-beckham-to-retire-football-season.html 2013-05-16T17:15:13Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html LONDON (AP) — Some up and downs in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he would retire from football at the end of the season: Up: Signs professional contract with Manchester United in 1993 and helps team win Premier League-FA Cup double in 1996. United wins league title again a year later. Down: Gets red ... Thu, 16 May 2013 16:24:44 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090780-ups-downs-david-beckhams-career.html 2013-05-16T16:24:44Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090512-david-beckham-career-highlights.html LONDON (AP) — Highlights in the career of David Beckham, who said Thursday he will retire from football at the end of the season: 1975 — Born May 2 in Leytonstone, east London. 1991 — Joins Manchester United as trainee. 1993 — Signs professional contract at Old Trafford. 1996 — Wins first FA Cup and Premier League title at Manchester United; Scores goal o... Thu, 16 May 2013 15:16:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2090512-david-beckham-career-highlights.html 2013-05-16T15:16:41Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/tennis/2087086-murray-retires-with-pain-nadal-wins-rome.html ROME (AP) — Back pain forced Andy Murray to retire midway through his second-round match at the Italian Open on Wednesday. He may have to sit out the French Open, too. Elsewhere at the Foro Italico, Rafael Nadal began his bid for a seventh Rome title by cruising past local hope Fognini of Italy 6-1, 6-3 in just 61 minutes. Similarly, two-time defending ch... Wed, 15 May 2013 19:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/tennis/2087086-murray-retires-with-pain-nadal-wins-rome.html 2013-05-15T19:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/tennis/2087202-murray-retires-with-pain-doubtful-paris.html ROME (AP) — Andy Murray retired from his second-round match with Spanish opponent Marcel Granollers at the Italian Open on Wednesday with lower back pain and listed himself as doubtful for the French Open. Murray, who was celebrating his 26th birthday, walked off the court after winning the second set to even the match. "I have an issue with my lower back... Wed, 15 May 2013 15:56:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/tennis/2087202-murray-retires-with-pain-doubtful-paris.html 2013-05-15T15:56:20Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2086658-rio-ferdinand-retires-international-football.html LONDON (AP) — England defender Rio Ferdinand has retired from international football to focus on his Manchester United career. Ferdinand was recalled to the England squad in March by Roy Hodgson after almost two years out of the national set up. But Ferdinand provoked the fury of fans by withdrawing from the squad citing fitness concerns only to fly to th... Wed, 15 May 2013 08:05:07 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2086658-rio-ferdinand-retires-international-football.html 2013-05-15T08:05:07Z http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/lifestyle/2082302-fans-celebrate-uniteds-title-win-parade.html MANCHESTER, England (AP) — In front of tens of thousands of flag-waving and chanting fans, Manchester United players and retiring manager Alex Ferguson paraded the Premier League trophy on an open-top bus through packed city streets on a second day of jubilant celebrations for the English champions. Supporters clambered dangerously up shop fronts, scaffol... Mon, 13 May 2013 19:05:33 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/lifestyle/2082302-fans-celebrate-uniteds-title-win-parade.html 2013-05-13T19:05:33Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2079406-uniteds-scholes-retires-2nd-final-time.html LONDON (AP) — Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes is retiring for a second and final time, ending a career that saw him regarded as one of the most technically gifted players of his generation. The 38-year-old former England international initially quit in 2011 but was persuaded to return for United in January 2012. "I am finally hanging up my boots... Sat, 11 May 2013 21:55:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2079406-uniteds-scholes-retires-2nd-final-time.html 2013-05-11T21:55:13Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2076450-alex-ferguson-prepares-trafford-farewell.html LONDON (AP) — For almost 27 years, Old Trafford has witnessed Alex Ferguson venting his anger from the dugout, berating officials, anxiously checking his watch and making celebratory jigs down the touchline. On Sunday, 76,000 fans have one final chance to witness — and savor — the most successful manager in British football history taking charge of Manche... Fri, 10 May 2013 14:37:56 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/2076450-alex-ferguson-prepares-trafford-farewell.html 2013-05-10T14:37:56Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2056688-triathlete-hempel-retires-2nd-doping-offense.html VIENNA (AP) — Austrian triathlete Hannes Hempel has retired after failing a drug test, three years after being banned for his involvement in the doping case of former cyclist Bernhard Kohl. Hempel, who had unnaturally high levels of testosterone when tested in March, said Wednesday he "will pass on having my B sample opened ... I know from experience that... Wed, 01 May 2013 19:10:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2056688-triathlete-hempel-retires-2nd-doping-offense.html 2013-05-01T19:10:50Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2055706-british-fighter-audley-harrison-retires-41.html LONDON (AP) — Former Olympic champion Audley Harrison has retired from professional boxing. At the 2000 Sydney Games, Harrison became the first British fighter to win an Olympic gold in the super-heavyweight division. But, despite briefly holding a minor world title nine years ago, the 41-year-old Harrison struggled to make an impression in the profession... Wed, 01 May 2013 11:39:13 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2055706-british-fighter-audley-harrison-retires-41.html 2013-05-01T11:39:13Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2052390-amaechi-british-footballers-wary-coming.html LONDON (AP) — The advice John Amaechi gave to Jason Collins before the NBA veteran came out is very different to what he tells the gay football players he knows in England's Premier League. "The NBA is light years ahead of football," Amaechi said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "There is no doubt about that." Amaechi became the first o... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:12:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2052390-amaechi-british-footballers-wary-coming.html 2013-04-30T01:12:57Z http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/celebrity/2052392-gay-athletes-while-active-retired.html Even before Jason Collins, plenty of other athletes around the world have come out as gay, either while still active or in retirement. From Martina Navratilova to Greg Louganis to Sheryl Swoopes, men and women from a variety of sports have openly acknowledged their sexuality, though many others are believed to still be reluctant to come forward. ... Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:32:38 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/celebrity/2052392-gay-athletes-while-active-retired.html 2013-04-30T00:32:38Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2027804-cyclist-hoy-retires-winning-6-olympic-golds.html MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Six-time gold medalist Chris Hoy retired from cycling Thursday, saying he had expended "every last ounce of effort and energy" in becoming Britain's most decorated Olympian and spearheading the country's rise to the top of the sport. Hoy decided to quit now rather than compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in his native Scotlan... Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:49:20 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2027804-cyclist-hoy-retires-winning-6-olympic-golds.html 2013-04-18T12:49:20Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2000214-dutch-judoka-edith-bosch-announces-retirement.html THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Edith Bosch, the 2005 judo world champion who made headlines at the London Olympics by tackling a man who threw a plastic bottle on the track just before the men's 100-meter final, says she is retiring from the sport. Bosch won a bronze medal in the middle weight division at the London Games to add to her bronze in Beijing an... Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:59:47 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/2000214-dutch-judoka-edith-bosch-announces-retirement.html 2013-04-05T11:59:47Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1964328-michael-owen-to-retire-season.html LONDON (AP) — Former England striker Michael Owen will retire at the end of the Premier League season, concluding the 16-year career of a once-prolific forward that was launched by a World Cup wonder-goal in 1998 but dwindled following a barrage of injuries. The 33-year-old Owen scored 40 times in 89 England appearances, including a memorable solo goal fr... Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:00:45 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1964328-michael-owen-to-retire-season.html 2013-03-19T15:00:45Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1957354-italys-lo-cicero-retires-international-rugby.html ROME (AP) — Italy's most capped player, Andrea Lo Cicero, will retire from international rugby after Saturday's final Six Nations match against Ireland. The 36-year-old prop says his 103rd appearance will be his last for Italy. At a news conference with captain Sergio Parisse on Friday, Lo Cicero says, "I would have liked to play my fifth Rugby World Cup ... Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:07:22 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1957354-italys-lo-cicero-retires-international-rugby.html 2013-03-15T16:07:22Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1933538-ex-world-snowboard-champion-neururer-set-to-retire.html INNSBRUCK, Austria (AP) — Former snowboard world champion Heidi Neururer of Austria says Sunday's World Cup parallel giant slalom in Arosa, Switzerland, will be her last race. In a statement from the Austrian ski federation, the 34-year-old Neururer says she's retiring one year before the Sochi Winter Olympics because "the past two seasons have not been w... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:48:43 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1933538-ex-world-snowboard-champion-neururer-set-to-retire.html 2013-03-05T19:48:43Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1919232-piller-cottrer-retires-cross-country-skiing.html VAL DI FIEMME, Italy (AP) — Olympic and world champion Pietro Piller Cottrer has retired from cross-country skiing at the age of 38, after a knee injury last month. Piller Cottrer broke down in tears as he announced his decision at a news conference at the Nordic world championships on Wednesday. He says "I've had luck during my career but luck has turned... Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:08:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1919232-piller-cottrer-retires-cross-country-skiing.html 2013-02-27T17:08:01Z http://www.mail.com/int/scitech/health/1883032-ex-england-player-retires-to-heart-condition.html BATH, England (AP) — Former England hooker Lee Mears was forced to retire on Monday after becoming the latest British rugby player to be diagnosed with heart problems. Doctors detected an "abnormality" on Mears' cardiac screening program and advised the front-row forward to retire because there was "a significant potential risk of developing further compl... Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/scitech/health/1883032-ex-england-player-retires-to-heart-condition.html 2013-02-11T15:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1874720-liverpool-defender-carragher-to-retire-this-summer.html LONDON (AP) — Long-serving Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will retire at the end of the season, concluding a distinguished one-club career that marked him as one of the Premier League's most competitive and tough-tackling center backs. Labeled "Mr. Liverpool" by the club, the 35-year-old Carragher has played 723 times for the first team since making h... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1874720-liverpool-defender-carragher-to-retire-this-summer.html 2013-02-07T15:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1869876-british-swimmer-rebecca-adlington-retires-23.html LONDON (AP) — Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has retired from competitive swimming at the age of 23. The Briton won in the 400 and 800 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and collected two bronze medals at the London Games last year. Announcing her retirement on Tuesday, Adlington said she "certainly can't compete" with younger swimmers any mor... Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:40:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1869876-british-swimmer-rebecca-adlington-retires-23.html 2013-02-05T14:40:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/celebrity/1857224-pregnant-laure-manaudou-retires-2nd-time.html PARIS (AP) — Former Olympic swimming champion Laure Manaudou says she is quitting for good after announcing her retirement for the second time on Wednesday. Manaudou, who won France's first swimming gold in 52 years at the 2004 Athens Olympics, retired in September 2009 following her poor showing at the 2008 Beijing Games. The 26-year-old says "I'm stoppi... Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/entertainment/celebrity/1857224-pregnant-laure-manaudou-retires-2nd-time.html 2013-01-30T19:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1843074-10-years-win-rahlves-skies-streif.html KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) — Ten years after winning the classic World Cup downhill on the famous Streif course, Daron Rahlves has come back to Kitzbuehel to have one more go. The American went down the challenging 3.3-kilometer slope on Thursday as one of the forerunners who tested the course before the official training started. "It's still fun but I was ... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1843074-10-years-win-rahlves-skies-streif.html 2013-01-24T14:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1824666-retired-boxer-collins-jones-jr-talks-bout.html LONDON (AP) — Irish boxer Steve Collins is in talks about a return to the ring after 16 years in retirement to fight former four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr. Jones Jr., once regarded by many as the world's best boxer, is still fighting at age 44 but has lost seven of his last 14 fights. The American fighter told the BBC that "I've spoken to Steve a... Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1824666-retired-boxer-collins-jones-jr-talks-bout.html 2013-01-16T15:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1819818-british-rider-robbed-cheats-armstrong.html LONDON (AP) — Former Olympic cycling champion Nicole Cooke retired Monday, using the occasion to attack Lance Armstrong and other riders who "robbed" her of greater financial rewards because of the doping scandals that have tainted the sport. The 29-year-old Briton, who won gold in the women's road race at the 2008 Beijing Games, said she feared cycling "... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:37:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1819818-british-rider-robbed-cheats-armstrong.html 2013-01-14T17:37:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1811544-patriots-ready-to-repeat-december-romp-texans.html The last time the Houston Texans went to Gillette Stadium they had the NFL's best record. They left with a 42-14 pounding from the New England Patriots. Patriots coach Bill Belichick insists the rematch of that December game on Sunday in the NFL playoff divisional round will be different. Not too much different, of course, because he fully expects his Pat... Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1811544-patriots-ready-to-repeat-december-romp-texans.html 2013-01-10T16:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1811006-marathon-runner-limo-retires.html HULST, Netherlands (AP) — Kenyan runner Felix Limo, who won both the London and Chicago marathons, has retired from the sport because of recurrent back injuries. The 32-year-old Limo says his injuries are preventing him from running quick times and training at the "intensity ... that I was able to do seven or eight years ago." Limo was the world's fastest... Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/int/sports/other/1811006-marathon-runner-limo-retires.html 2013-01-10T12:31:00Z