Hitomi Niiya at Retirement Press Conference: \“Nothing But Good Memories\“ – translated by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

A 2012 London Olympian and 5th in last year's Moscow World Championships 10000 m, Hitomi Niiya (25), announced her retirement Jan. 31 at a press conference at her sponsor Universal Entertainment's head office in Ariake, Tokyo.  

With regard to her early retirement at just age 25, Niiya gave the diagnosis of plantar fasciitis in her right foot in November, 2012 as her main reason.  "When I found out the situation with my foot I was so relieved," she said.  "At that moment I thought, 'Now I can get down off this stage and finally quit this sport."  At that point she made the decision that the 2013 World Championships would be her final world-level competition.

At those World Championships Niiya led the Africans to the very end and ran her PB of 30:56.70, but, she said, "If you don't medal it disqualifies you as a professional.  I thought there was no choice but to put a period at the end of that sentence."  Combined with her injury that race seemed to be what pulled the trigger on her career.

Looking at her life as an athlete until now Niiya said, "Once I'm a granny I might think, 'Man that was hard,' but right now I have nothing but good memories."  She indicated that her future plans are a complete blank, saying, "I can't do anything useful for society, but I will completely cut off connection with the world of running."

At one point she cried with her mother, but until the end she remained true to the Niiya style as the curtain came down.

translated by Brett Larner – Japan Running News

 https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140131-00000030-nksports-spo