http://sports.yahoo.com/m/sa/news/ap/20010525/ap-baileyretires.html Bailey to retire after 2001 outdoor season May 25, 2001 TORONTO (AP) -- Donovan Bailey will retire after the 2001 outdoor season, ending a career in which he set the 100-meter world record while winning the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics. ``This sport has given me some great moments and some great life experiences,'' Bailey said Friday. ``Overcoming what was deemed impossible is what I will take with me and cherish the most.'' He set the world record in the 100 in 9.84 seconds at the 1996 Games. Maurice Greene has since broken the mark twice, most recently at 9.79 in 1999. The 33-year-old Canadian sprinter sustained a career-threatening Achilles' tendon injury in 1998 and was not a factor at the Sydney Olympics. He intends to run his last race in Edmonton, Alberta, either at the Canadian track and field championships on June 22-24 or the world championships on Aug. 3-12. Bailey will be running on the European circuit, with his farewell tour to start in Germany. He plans to return to Canada for the Canadian championships next month. ``Donovan has given athletics in Canada a much needed facelift,'' said Joanne Mortimore, the chief operating officer for Athletics Canada. His career was also marked by a ballyhooed 150-meter match race with Michael Johnson at Toronto's SkyDome in 1997. Johnson pulled his right hamstring and withdrew halfway through the race. Bailey was at his peak at the Atlanta Olympics. He not only set a record in winning the 100 but earned another gold medal a week later when he ran the anchor leg in the 400-meter relay. The victory over the Americans is one of Canada's most cherished Olympic memories. In 1995, Bailey captured the 100 meters at the world championships in Sweden. But in September 1998, he ruptured his Achilles' tendon playing basketball with friends. After surgery, Bailey proved many skeptics wrong by resuming his career. However, he could not regain his championship form. At the Sydney Olympics last September, he failed to make it past the second round in the 100 after becoming ill with a respiratory virus. He didn't run in the men's relay. ``By virtue of his Olympic and world championship success, Donovan Bailey joined a very select group of Canadians,'' says Brent McFarlane, the 2000 Olympic coach for track and field. ``History will record his athletic accomplishments.'' __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices http://auctions.yahoo.com/
