Brazilian marathon runner De Lima announces retirement
5/12/2008 16:43
Brazilian marathon star Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima has called a halt to
his stellar career yesterday, announcing he will retire by the end of the
year.
"My career as a professional athlete is ending. I am happy for having
lived through these years of glory. I will retire on Dec. 31, the last day of
the year," he told TV Globo yesterday.
De Lima, 38, is the two-time champion
of the Pan American marathon.
De Lima was famously attacked by a spectator
while leading the marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens but went on to win the
bronze medal. For his sportsmanship, he was awarded with the Pierre de Coubertin
Medal by the International Olympic Committee.
Xinhua
|
