Diving queen Guo Jingjing has decided to retire, ending speculation about her future and the possibility of her competing at next year's Olympic Games in London.
Zhou Jihong, head of the China diving team, said in a CCTV interview that Guo (pictured), 29, was preparing papers for her retirement.
'We had some discussions last September and November on whether she would resume her training and her future plans,' Zhou said. 'She made it clear she would not participate in training and competitions any more, and she is no longer a member of the national team.
'We feel sorry about her decision as we have been working together for more than 10 years and she has made a special contribution to diving in China. We do not want to see her leave [the national team] and I know she misses the team, but in the end she has to make her own choice.'
Zhou also revealed that Guo had been studying English to prepare for her new life after sport.
Guo made headlines in 2005 when paparazzi photographed her dining with Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, grandson of late business tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung and son of Hong Kong Olympic Committee president Timothy Fok Tsun-ting.
