TRINIDAD AND Tobago hammer throw ace Candice Scott has retired from the track and field arena due to persistent knee injuries.
The 29-year-old has been plagued by injuries on both of her knees throughout her career, but she has given up hope of a full recovery, after missing the majority of the 2009 track and field season.
In a recent television interview, Scott revealed her intention to pursue a career in coaching, as well as develop her knowledge in aqua therapy— which she used as part of her rehabilitation.
The Barataria resident, who began her athletic career as a CARIFTA gold medallist in shot put, took up hammer throwing while at the University of Florida, where she obtained a BSC in Recreational Therapy in 2005.
Scott was the first woman from the English-speaking Caribbean to compete in the hammer throw at the Olympics. She became the second female athlete from Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for an Olympic final when she posted a throw of 68.27 metres in the qualifying round of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece to take the 12th and last spot in the final.
Her personal best throw was 71.45 metres, set in May 15 2005 at Marietta, Georgia, United States.
Scott’s accomplishments:
2002 - British Commonwealth Games, Manchester, England - Shot Put (8th, 15.35 m); Hammer Throw (5th, 60.93 m).
2003 - Pan American Games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Hammer Throw (3rd, 69.06 m).
2003 - World Championships, Paris, France - Hammer Throw (9th, 67.73 m).
2004 - Olympics, Athens, Greece - Hammer Throw (Final, 9th, 69.94 m).
2005 - Central American and Caribbean Championships, Nassau, Bahamas - Hammer Throw (1st, 67.44 m); Shot Put (5th, 16.43 m).
2005 - World Championships, Helsinki, Finland - Hammer Throw (8th, 66.55 m).
2007 - Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Hammer Throw (9th, 62.21 m).
2008 - Central American and Caribbean Championships, Cali, Colombia - Hammer Throw (1st, 69.26 m).
2008 - Olympics, Beijing, China - Hammer Throw (40th, 63.03 m).
Source:
www.newsday.co.tt