Olympic bronze medallist Dom Parsons admits the desire to strive for perfection was simply no longer there after announcing his retirement from skeleton.
Parsons – who won Team GB’s first medal at PyeongChang 2018 when he slid to a brilliant bronze in the men's skeleton – hangs up his sled following an historic 12-year career.
Having made his international debut in 2008 and finished tenth in his first Winter Olympic Games at Sochi 2014, he became the first British male skeleton athlete to win an Olympic medal in 70 years by climbing the PyeongChang podium.
The 32-year-old, who also won World Cup bronze in Calgary in 2013, took a year away from sliding following his Olympic success to complete his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath before returning to the team this winter.
But while he initially intended to continue to the Beijing 2022 Games, Parsons has made the tough decision to call it a day.
“After 12 years in skeleton I've decided to stop competing in the sport I love,” he said. “This decision was made harder by the fact that I love skeleton so much.
“I’m happy with having overcome the obstacles to achieve the highs of my career and, with that, the desire to keep striving for perfection has faded.
“I’m looking forward to new challenges and opportunities ahead and will always remember my time as a skeleton athlete fondly.
"I have made some incredible friends in the sport and I hope to stay in touch with all of you. Thank you to all those that have supported me in my career, in particular Kristan Bromley, Rob Ellchuk, Chris Type, Eric Bernotas and UK Sport.
“Good luck to my team mates for the rest of the season and beyond to Beijing.”
Sportsbeat 2019