Olympic silver medallist Fell retires from modern pentathlon

After being inspired to take up the sport by watching Steph Cook and Kate Allenby claim gold and bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games, Fell went on to write her own Olympic legacy.

It was at Beijing 2008 that Fell finished as runner-up, becoming the fourth British athlete to win a medal since the sport was introduced to the Olympics eight years previous.

After winning Olympic silver, Fell rounded off her season with another runners-up finish at the 2008 World Cup Final in Portugal to end the year ranked number one in the world.

Further successes followed but after failing to make it to London 2012 Fell turned her attentions to other avenues and has opted to retire from the sport completely in order to concentrate on her media commitments.

Fell said: "I've had a wonderful career in a sport I love, I never imagined I would be able to do have the opportunity to train full time for my sport.

"I take so many happy memories with me. I'm now turning my attention to a new and exciting career alongside the different physical challenge of road cycling."

Jan Bartu, Pentathlon GB Performance Director, added: "I'd like to wish Heather all the best for the future. Her successes from her time as a junior up to Olympic, World Championships, World Cups and European Championships speak for themselves. It will be sad to see her go.

"Heather has been a very strong athlete and in many ways her competition performances often exceeded expectations from training.

"That's almost unique, it's something not many athletes can do. I would never underestimate Heather's desire and will to succeed, which have been inspirational."

© Sportsbeat 2014