Spain's greatest Olympian to retire

David Cal who is considered to be Spain's greatest ever Olympian announced his retirement on Wednesday and will not compete in his fourth Games.

The 32-year-old canoeist, who has won one goal and four silver medals, has decided to not continue with his preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games, it was confirmed by the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE).

Cal's reasons for retiring are cited as a lack of motivation after his long career and a lack of form.

He won a gold medal in the C-1000 class in Athens, following that success with silver in the same category in Beijing and in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, after which he had gone to work in Brazil with his coach Suso Morlan.

Cal also won silver medals in the C-1500 class in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and in Beijing in 2008, where he also had the honor of being the Spanish flag bearer.

The President of the Spanish Olympic Committee, Alejandro Blanco praised Cal for his achievements which he said made him, "the flag bearer of Spanish port for a long time."

"I think we have to applaud him and thank him for all he has given us," continued Blanco, who admitted the COE had tried to change Cal's mind about his retirement, but admitted, "you have to value the person behind the sportsman."

"He will always be a champion and a legend for Spain and for world sport," concluded Blanco. Endi