Stafford's Olympic archer Alison Williamson retires
Stafford's record Olympic archer Alison Williamson today announced her retirement from the sport.
Williamson – who took part in six consecutive Olympic Games, concluding with London 2012 – won individual bronze at Athens 2004, and claimed individual and team silver medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. She was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to archery.
Williamson, 42, a primary school teacher based in Great Haywood, said: "I just couldn't continue to dedicate the hours needed to be competing at the top level any more.
"It has been an amazing journey. The sport has been a part of my life since I was six years old and has taken me to places, and introduced me to people, that I would not have had the pleasure of in any other profession.
"But I put my teaching career on hold to represent my country at various events across the globe and now the time is right to just concentrate on the day job."
Despite ending her international career, the former world No.1 will still be involved in archery at grassroots level, working with Energize to promote Olympic values and introduce youngsters to the sport.
