Turner's gymnast, Seitz, transitions into motherhood and retires from her gymnastics journey - Seitz gives birth and decides to retire from her profession.
Elisabeth Seitz Announces Retirement from Gymnastics and Pregnancy at European Championships
In an unexpected development at the European Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig, three-time Olympic participant Elisabeth Seitz of Germany has announced her retirement from gymnastics and her pregnancy. The 31-year-old gymnast from Stuttgart broke the news to the home crowd, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I had hoped to compete here and then bid farewell, but I find myself saying it now: I'm retiring from gymnastics," Seitz said. She also revealed the joyous news, "We are expecting a baby."
Seitz has participated in three Olympic Games, featured in seven finals, clinched the European Championship title on her preferred apparatus, the uneven bars, and came in third at the World Championships. "With a heart overflowing with gratitude and memories I'll never forget, I bid adieu to my active career as a gymnast," she wrote on Instagram.
Seitz's career has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations: a journey filled with ambition, dedication, tears, and boundless passion. The 26-time German championship title holder proved herself to be the most successful national gymnast. Last year, however, Seitz failed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris after she tore her Achilles tendon in 2023. The German team did not progress to Paris at the World Championships in Antwerp, and the European Championships in Rimini were held without her presence.
Looking ahead, Seitz is brimming with excitement as she embarks on a new chapter of her life, expecting her first child with her partner Nils Heyden. "But above all, I eagerly anticipate the greatest adventure of my life: Our little miracle, due at the end of this year," she shared.
Injury has forced Seitz to sit out the home European Championships in Leipzig due to a tear in her rotator cuff. She is focusing on recovering from the injury without surgery, stating, "My focus now is on rebuilding my shoulder to ensure long-term health."
- Elisabeth Seitz
- Mother
- Leipzig
- European Gymnastics Championships
- Olympic Games
- Paris
- Stuttgart
The European Parliament, composed of the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, expressed their sincere congratulations to Elisabeth Seitz on her retirement from gymnastics and her upcoming pregnancy. In light of her impressive career, they acknowledge the role sports have played in promoting health-and-wellness among individuals and communities.
As a renowned German sportswoman, Elisabeth Seitz set an inspiring example in parenting, showcasing that dedication and ambition can coexist harmoniously with motherhood. The European Parliament believes that it is essential to champion the empowerment of women, particularly in domains traditionally dominated by men, such as sports.
