The Olympic 400m hurdler has made the decision to hang up her spikes after representing GB in Paris
Jessie Knight, who competed for Great Britain at two Olympic Games and won five British titles over 400m or 400m hurdles, has officially announced her retirement.
Jessie Knight Announces Retirement from Competitive Athletics
The 30-year-old, who specialised in both the 400m and 400m hurdles, shared the news on Instagram, stating: “The time has come to say goodbye to competitive sport.
“Having competed since I was eight years old, I finally got my first GB call up aged 26. Since then I have represented my country in two Olympic Games, two World Championships, two European Championships, one Commonwealth Games, two World Indoor Championships and one European Indoor Championships.
“I have a relay medal from Worlds, Indoor Worlds and European Indoors. I have also won two indoor 400m British titles and three 400mH outdoor titles.”
Jessie Knight (Mark Shearman)
She added: “The 26-year-old primary school teacher couldn’t have predicted what was going to happen over the following four years.
“It has been far from easy at times but I am walking away with the fondest of memories, experiences of a lifetime, lessons learnt and some very special people to add to my circle.
“The Olympic Games in Paris was the perfect ending for me. I ended my career on the biggest and best stage, it doesn’t get better than that.”
Knight’s personal bests include a 400m 51.57 (indoors) and 54.09 in the 400m hurdles, placing her fourth on the UK’s all-time 400m hurdles list.
Her international career also saw her earn multiple relay medals, including World Championship 4x400m bronze in Oregon in 2022 and World Indoor 4x400m bronze in Glasgow this year.
Jessie Knight in Oregon (Getty)
Jessie Knight’s Stellar Career Highlights and Achievements
Knight also claimed 4x400m European indoor silver in Torun in 2021, alongside Zoey Clark, Ama Pipi, and Jodie Williams who also announced her retirement this month.
Domestically, Knight claimed five British titles, winning gold over the 400m hurdles three times at the British Championships, in 2020, 2022 and 2023, also winning bronze in 2021 and 2019.
Indoors, she took gold across the 400m in 2020 and 2022, taking silver in 2021 behind Jodie Williams.
Jessie Knight (Getty)
Knight’s Olympic journey was marked by both triumph and setbacks. Her first Olympic appearance in Tokyo 2021 ended in disappointment after she tripped and fell at the first hurdle.
However, she bounced back to qualify for Paris 2024, where she made it through to the semi-finals, finishing sixth after navigating the repechage round.
Knight’s career is even more remarkable considering her dual role as a primary school teacher.
She briefly stepped away from athletics in 2017 to focus on teaching but returned a year later, and soon began her professional career Jessie Knight.
It was exceptionally quick on the track. It just felt like I was on top of them (the obstacles), however clearly, that is another motivation behind why it’s great to have another runout. I can get back and rest now.”
In the repechage, Jessie had an unfortunate beginning and had a ton of hurrying to do. She did it, slicing through the field to complete in 55.10, in front of Gianna Woodruff of Panama by 0.005 seconds to complete second and procure a spot in the semi-last. A short time later, the inclination spilled out.
“I would have made the semi yesterday on the off chance that it had been the standard capability strategies, however the repechage is smart for fervor and amusement. I guess every one of the competitors who aren’t the Sydneys and Femkes are simply fighting for the spot and all so equitably coordinated, and being in it in that home straight, you could hear it; it was enjoyable!
“I feel like I am appropriately here. My mum didn’t actually purchase tickets for the repechage. In our eyes, I was a semi-finalist, essentially founded on what I could do, however earlier today, it occurred to me I probably won’t make the semis. Then I thought, ‘No, no, no — I need to get into those semis. ‘
I’m truly cheerful. I feel like I have had a truly fun involvement with the Olympics, which I felt like I possessed hung tight a long energy for.”
Jessie, who is resigning toward the finish of this season to get back to full-time educating, added, “I have been personal the entire morning as my profession is reaching a conclusion.” Nonetheless, the semi-last works out, and Jessie can hold her head high.
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