Sports: Gymnast Ariella Kaeslin ends her career at 23

At a press conference called for Monday, Swiss gymnast Ariella Kaeslin surprised journalists by announcing her permanent retirement at just 23 years old.

This announcement came as a bolt from the blue, given that a year before the London Games and in the middle of the Gymnaestrada, the gymnast had made the Olympic Games her priority goal for the rest of her career. She was due to return to Macolin to prepare for the World Championships next October in Tokyo.

The champion leaves the sporting scene with four medals to her name: one of each metal at the European Championships between 2009 and 2011 and a silver at the World Championships in 2009, her best year. Three of these medals were won in the vault and one, bronze in 2009, in the all-around. Named "Swiss Athlete of the Year" three times, she has also reached the World Cup podium five times, including once on the top step, and has 24 national titles.

When the heart is no longer in it

The young Lucerne native tearfully explained that she no longer felt ready to make the effort and sacrifices required at a higher level. When she won the bronze medal at the European Championships in Berlin, she arrived at the competition weakened.

Lately, she admits, her heart has not been in it at 100%. "I'm someone who likes to do things thoroughly. I'm no longer ready to subordinate everything to this single goal (the Olympic Games). I have other interests besides gymnastics and I'm looking forward to starting a new phase of life," she emphasized at this press conference.

Ariella Kaeslin was particularly known for her mastery of one of the most difficult figures in women's gymnastics, the "Chusovitina." She is considered the best Swiss gymnast of all time and already serves as a role model for the next generation.