Amy Williams MBE has announced her retirement from Skeleton Bobsleigh with immediate effect. The current Winter Olympic Champion, 29, decided to call time on her glittering career after being troubled by injuries and therefore struggling to maintain her position at the pinnacle of her sport.

Williams said "I have put a great deal of thought into this and it is not easy to finish something that has been the major part of my life for more than a decade but I feel it is now time for me to see what other challenges lie ahead. I am extremely proud to have represented my country and have enjoyed every moment and after achieving my lifetime goal of winning an Olympic Gold medal, I feel the time is right that I make way for the next generation of athletes to come through."

Amy Williams, affectionately known as Curly Wurly, returned from Vancouver a national heroine after claiming Team GB's only gold medal of the 2010 Winter Olympics at her debut Winter Olympic Games. In winning gold, she became Britain's first solo Winter Olympics champion in 30 years and the first female individual gold medallist for 58 years. Other career highlights also include a Silver medal at the 2009 World Championships in Lake Placid and a Silver medal at the 2009 World Cup in Whislter 2009.

She reflected, "I would like to thank everybody that has supported me throughout my career, my parents, the coaches and support staff at British Skeleton, my sponsors, friends and anybody that has helped me to achieve my dreams. I will never forget all the support and appreciation I had when I returned from Vancouver, it was truly overwhelming. I now look forward to the next chapter in my life."

For any further information please contact: Greg Kirkpatrick [email protected]