Robert Scheidt retires from the Olympics

by Declan McSweeney and Sail-World.com on 16 Oct 2017 Reporting for insidethegames.biz, Declan McSweeney reports that Brazil's Robert Scheidt, winner of five Olympic medals, including two gold, has announced his retirement from Olympic competition, ending a career that spanned a quarter-of-a-century. The 44-year-old revealed he would continue to participate in non-Olympic events and support Brazil's elite sailors as they prepare for Tokyo 2020, TV Globo reports.

'The decision to end my Olympic career is one of the most difficult that I've ever had to make,' Scheidt told the broadcaster. 'I've been competing at the highest level for 25 years. 'I hope to contribute to the sport and that Brazil continues to have a lot of success. The amount of training that I would need to do over the next two years would be too much. Two things have always been very important to me - to enjoy what I do and to be competitive. The moment has come in which I no longer feel competitive.'

Scheidt is the only sailor to ever beat Britain's Sir Ben Ainslie in Olympic competition, when he triumphed at Atlanta 1996. Read the complete, original version here

Writing on Facebook on 17/10/17, Gintare Scheidt Volungeviciute, said 'One year passed after Olympics in Rio. Today me and my husband announce the end of our long athlete careers. Many many years in the boat on the water and with the people trying achieve their goals. I love it. Just don't know I could set the same goals once more.'

'So gratefull to be part of Lithuanian Olympic team for more then 15 years. Thank you to everyone that supported me all the way: my home country, my family, my coach Linas Eidukevicius, my first coach Raimondas Komskis, my friends and all sailing comunity. Just because of you all my achievements came true.'

'Today me and Robert end our Olympic roads, but sailing will always be the desire of our family. Good winds to all of you!'