Rebecca Romero has left the Great Britain cycling team less than a year before London 2012.
Romero won individual pursuit gold in Beijing but turned her attention to the team pursuit after the discipline was scrapped from the Olympic schedule.
But having missed the Manchester leg of the World Cup through injury, the 31-year-old was then left out the Great Britain team for the World Championships in March and has now decided to call time on her Olympic ambition.
“Having suffered several setbacks at crucial points, I believe I’m no longer on a pathway which will see me fulfil my Olympic ambition to win a second Olympic gold medal,” said Romero, who won rowing silver at Athens 2004 before turning to cycling.
“I’m proud to have contributed to the cycling team’s great Olympic triumph in Beijing and I thank all the amazing people within British Cycling who were central to my success. I wish my current team mates every success in London next year.”
British Cycling performance manager Shane Sutton added: “Rebecca’s decision to leave is a great loss to the team and it’s a shame to lose an Olympic Champion going into the Olympic year.
“Looking ahead, we have some great young talent in addition to experienced riders in the team pursuit squad and I’m confident we can remain on track to hit our performance targets in the lead up to and during the London Olympic Games.”
