Monique Gladding has ended her career just over a month after competing at an Olympics for the first time.
After a rollercoaster career, the diver announces her retirement
British diver Monique Gladding has ended her turbulent decade-long career, just over a month after competing at an Olympic Games for the first time.
The 31-year-old defied the odds to appear in London after she almost lost her life following a horror accident at an event in February 2011 in Russia.
The Sheffield diver fell unconscious into the water as she hit her head against the 10-metre platform and with her coach and husband Steve watching on, she had to be pulled to safety from the depths of the pool.
Despite the incident, Gladding made a remarkable return to diving's highest board before booking her Olympic place for the first time - even after surviving an appeal from team-mate Tonia Couch - in the 10m platform at London.
However, Gladding failed to progress beyond the first round after sustaining a neck injury just days before her competition. It was after this that she hinted her latest injury setback could signal the end of her career.
Following the Olympics she saw a neck specialist, and after speaking with family and friends, the South African-born diver confirmed her retirement on her Twitter page.
Hope
Gladding said: "12 yrs ago I boarded the plane from S.A. Waved my family & friends goodbye, a tear in my eye, hope in my heart & a dream of being an Olympian.
"I had no idea of the path that I was about to go on. Diving has brought me some of my greatest joy, my deepest sadness & everything in between.
"I have had the privilege to travel the world, the honour to compete for Britain on a world Stage, I made friends for life and I fell in love.
"And finally this summer I fulfilled my dream. It has been a roller-coaster that never failed to challenge me right till the very, very end. I look fwd to new beginnings, new memories made & having new dreams to chase."
