Nelson announces retirement

Olympic sprinter Ella Nelson has announced her retirement from elite athletics.

After a successful career in Athletics that saw Nelson represent Australia at the Rio Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, two World Championships, two World Relay Championships and two World Junior Championships, the LA-based athlete has made the decision to step back from competing at the elite level.

Speaking on her retirement, Nelson said that it was the events of 2020, including the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics that led to her decision.

“2020 affected everyone in an enormous way that was unpredictable and uncomfortable, and with the Olympic Games postponed and being away from my family, I spent a lot of time thinking about where I am, what goals I want to achieve and what my future looks like,” Nelson said.

“Through quarantine, I was loving training and I’m still enjoying it. But after going through a number of years not competing, trying to make a comeback, mental battles and health issues, running through lockdown helped me come to peace with moving on from competing.

“I’m a huge advocate for the More Than An Athlete movement, which is that everyone is multifaceted and can have a lot of different interests, talents and skills. We’re very fortunate as athletes that we learn incredible skills like discipline and how to work hard and sacrifice, and what it takes to be successful. 

“I’ve always wanted to translate those things and I’ve had the plan to do that for a long time. Because I’m such a huge advocate for that, I felt like I didn’t want to just quietly step away from sport, but let people know that it’s okay to embrace all sides of themselves and pursue all of your dreams, no matter what they are.”

Nelson’s career has been studded with success, with her result in Rio as a major highlight. Nelson placed 9th in the 200m event at the 2016 Olympics, where she ran a personal best time of 22.50 in the semi finals, missing the final by 100th of a second. Her placing was the highest in the 200m at an Olympics by an Australian female in 16 years.

The 26-year-old said that outside of her results, it was the honour of representing her country and the relationships she’s made that were the true highlights of her career.

“Representing Australia is the number one thing that comes to mind when I look back on my career. Every time you receive an Australian kit, it’s as special as the first time. You get nervous and excited and there’s nothing quite like it,” she said.

“But outside of that, it’s the team culture and the friendships that I’ve made within the team and the staff that I’m grateful to have had. 

“I’ve learnt through my career that you can do anything you put your mind to, even if it feels out of reach, and that hard work pays off and that you can be successful, it just requires discipline and sacrifice. That’s a really important lesson.”

Athletics Australia General Manager of High Performance Andrew Faichney congratulated Nelson on her athletics career and thanked her for her contribution to the sport.

“Ella was an incredible athlete, with an insatiable appetite to represent Australia on the world stage and do us all proud. She always led by example and worked incredibly hard to all her goals, which saw her create such success for herself at the Olympics in 2016,” he said.

“I’d like to congratulate Ella on a successful career and wish her all the very best for her next chapter. 

Nelson was coached by Michael Dooley from 2006 until her retirement, along with Stuart McMillan who became her US-based coach.

By Sascha Ryner
Posted: 22/1/2021