Athletics: Sprint queen Arron retires from racing

PARIS: Former European 100 metres sprint champion Christine Arron has announced that she is calling time on her career at the age of 39. The Guadeloupe-born French runner was at her best in 1998 when she ran 10.73 seconds to win the European title in Budapest in a European record that stands to this day. Arron remained among the top sprinters in the world for most of the next decade, taking third place over 100 meters and 200 metres at the 2005 World Championships, but her only Olympic medals came in the 4X100 metres relay at the 2000 and 2004 Games. “After 35 years (of career), it’s becoming harder and harder to stay fully fit,” said Arron. “I would have liked to continue racing, but you have to draw a line under it one day.” Arron said that she would consider a coaching role.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2012.