“Today is the day of the end of my sports career. I would like to thank all of you for your support over the years, dear fans and everyone who has been following me and empathizing, thank you, ”Zakharov wrote in his Instagram.
He also emphasized that he had never used doping, and the disqualification imposed on him was the result of missing doping tests.
“I ended my career, that's why I missed doping tests. Now a new stage in my life is beginning, and I'm preparing for it, ”the 28-year-old athlete added.
In addition to the gold of the 2012 Olympics, Zakharov’s assets also include the silver Games in London. He is also the world champion, 11-time European champion, and three-time winner of the Universiade.
Earlier it became known that Zakharov was suspended for 18 months.