Tampakos to quit after 2012 Olympics
Olympic gold medalist Dimosthenis Tampakos announced on February 16 that he will end his career after the 2012 Olympics in London.
The 34-year-old gymnast, who won silver in Sydney in 2000 and gold in Athens in 2004, said in an interview that he wants a medal in the next Olympic Games so that he can enjoy a triumphant end to a glorious career.
“I certainly wish to get gold at the London Olympics; this is the way I would like to end my career. I just avoid talking about it any more. The best thing is to let your actions speak for you at the event itself. I hope that I will not have any problems with injuries that will hold me back,» said Tampakos.
“This way, a long period of my life will come to a close. I have been with the national team since March 1990 – 21 years is a long time. Over the course of all these years I have also been deprived of many things,» the Greek Olympian admitted.
“But I have decided to stay on until the Olympic Games. I will then abandon trying to be champion, although not the sport altogether,» he added.
