The Brit retires from athletics after securing a myriad of medals at both junior and senior level
Jodie Williams, who competed for Great Britain at three Olympics and was part of the 4x400m squad that claimed bronze at Paris 2024, has retired.
The 31-year-old announced she would hang up her spikes in an Instagram message that stated “you [track and field] allowed me to achieve my childhood dreams and have taken me from an awkward little girl with no confidence to a just as awkward but much more confident woman”.
She added: “Our story has been one of overcoming, accepting and redefining. Although we didn’t reach every milestone we set out to achieve, we made some crazy plays and it’s been the most incredible ride.
“You have humbled and exposed me more times than I can count. Through this I found a strength I did not know I had. I now know I can tackle anything life throws at me.
“Through you I have met some of my greatest mentors and friends, people I will stay connected to for life. I’ve learnt moments are fleeting and that you should take frequent stops to take it all in. Due to this I can now move deliberately and confidently in my next direction and I’m so excited to see what will unfold.”
Williams specialised in both the 200m and 400m during her senior career and boasted respective personal bests of 22.46 and 49.97.
The Brit claimed a stunning 200m silver at the 2014 European Championships, finishing behind Dafne Schippers in Zurich.
Williams also claimed an individual European indoor bronze medal over 400m in 2021, with just Femke Bol and Justyna Święty-Ersetic in front of her in Torun.
Individual medal success wasn’t just limited at European level, with Williams securing a 200m silver and 400m bronze at the Glasgow and Birmingham Commonwealth Games respectively.
Williams won a myriad of major relay medals and outside of the Olympic 4x400m bronze in Paris, one of her greatest other successes was being part of the victorious British 4x100m team at Zurich 2014.
A prodigious junior talent, Williams became both world junior and youth champion over 100m, claimed European junior titles in the 100m and 200m and also struck gold over half a lap at the European U23 Championships.
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