Anderson retires

Jamaican sprinter Marvin Anderson yesterday announced his retirement from professional athletics.

The 33-year-old 200 metres specialist had been competing internationally for the past 15 years and ended his career with personal best times of 10.11 secs (100 m) and 20.06 secs (200 m).

Anderson won a silver medal in the 4x100m at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, combining with Asafa Powell, Nesta Carter, and Usain Bolt.

Individually, he placed sixth in the 200 metres final in Osaka and took silver in the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro the same year.

Said Anderson: "I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout my athletics career. It would not have been possible without your support. Although many would've liked to see me continue competing and try to participate in Rio (Olympic) Games.

"I must say it feels right to start a new chapter in life, and I'm extremely blessed to be doing so, knowing that I'm in a good place. Track and field has given me so much, I now look forward to giving back to this sport."

Anderson, who was born in Trelawny, first came to prominence as a schoolboy at the William Knibb High School.

He finished sixth in the 200m at the 2000 World Junior Championships in Santiago, Chile.

Competing for St Jago, he won the 100m and 200m at the 2001 Boys & Girls' Championships and was voted Jamaican High School Athlete of the Year.

He earned his degree in international relations from the University of Southern California.

The Bert Cameron-coached athlete competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2011 World Championships in Daegu.

Slowed by injury problems in recent years, Anderson got his master's degree in marketing and management.

Anderson is a regular athletics commentator on radio and TV networks in Jamaica and across the Caribbean.