Steve Larsen retires - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 12-21-2003, 08:53 PM

Steve Larsen, Triathlete magazine’s 2002 Rookie of the Year, announced his retirement from professional triathlon today. His media statement follows:

"When I began my competitive cycling career in 1984, I could never have imagined how far it would take me. The great people I have worked and raced with, along with the lessons learned through successes and failures, have all played a role in shaping the person I have become today.

Today, I am a husband and a father, to a phenomenal woman and two amazing children. Today, I am fortunate to have friendships with fantastic people around the world. My commitment to achieving personal bests, while learning from my mistakes and losses has been invaluable. Today, I would not trade any of these friendships and lessons for the material success offered by one more big win.

Although my passion for racing and winning still burns hot, I have made the decision to retire from professional sports. I am extremely excited by the intellectual challenges that await me. I am certain that the same skills that served me so well for twenty years as a full time athlete will pay dividends in my post athletic career.

Those of you that have made an impact on my career (both good and bad!), I want to thank you. You have all helped in my development as an athlete and person, and I am grateful.

My style, although not always understood or appreciated, has been to prepare and compete with 100% professionalism and dedication. This is the only way that I know how and shows the degree of respect that I have always had for my sport and my competition. I will miss the opportunity to measure myself against the best athletes in the world, but I will always compete. Of course, at the moment, that just means striving to become the best snowboarder in my family!

Thanks again to all of my supporters over the last twenty years. I truly see this not as an end, but just the beginning."

-Steve Larsen