An Xianzhu issued a long article to announce his retirement.

　　China News Service, April 28. The 34-year-old Winter Olympics short-track speed skating six gold winner, Korean-American Russian athlete An Xianzhu announced his retirement. In his published article, he stated that due to severe knee injuries, it was difficult for him to conduct comprehensive training. An Xianzhu thanked the fans for their support, and expressed emotion: "Without this journey, there will be no An Xianzhu or Victor-Ann."

The full text is as follows:

　　Without this journey, there would be no An Hyun-soo or Victor-Ann.

　　Dear friends! Today, I decided to tell everyone that this season is the final stage of my long career. Although so far, while writing these words, my consciousness is still in the field of sports. I sincerely thank all fans for their love for short tracks and their support for my decision to retire.

　　In preparing for last year's season, in order not to leave regrets, I devoted myself 100%. Thanks to the care of the Russian Ministry of Sports and the Russian Skating Federation, I can practice according to my personal schedule, which in my opinion keeps me in good physical condition and performs well in World Cup matches. However, I feel that in my current state, it is difficult to continue in the next season.

　　Due to the continuous pain in the knee joint, it takes a lot of time to treat and recover after the game, so it is difficult for me to carry out comprehensive training. In addition to the persistent pain in the knee, other injuries have occurred. It is too difficult for me to stay healthy. Therefore, I decided to say goodbye to this sport. I am well aware that it is impossible to continue to engage in sports undertakings alone. I think it is the right time, so I decided to retire.

　　I have received a lot of training since I was a child, but I never thought I could hold on for so long. A severe knee injury in 2008 was a major turning point in my life. Because of the serious injury and I had achieved many achievements at that time, many people suggested that I quit the sport.

　　Now think about it, I had enough reasons to do so at the time, but those words were very annoying at the time, and inspired my determination to overcome injuries at all costs. However, it is not easy to fall to the bottom and start to reach the peak again. This process is longer than I expected and it is too tedious. It seems that everything is over, and I am frustrated.

　　Whenever there is such an idea, it is difficult for me to concentrate, but in the end I endure silently to achieve the goal. These twists and turns let me learn a lot of new things and teach me to look at the world with a positive attitude. Therefore, in many ways, my attitude towards sports has changed, and I choose to continue my career to this day.

　　Without short track speed skating, there would be no An Hyun-soo or Victor Ann. Many things happened in my life. In 2011, I became a Russian citizen. In the difficult times of my life, Russia supported me, and I had the opportunity to participate in major sports events again. In Russia, where short-track speed skating has not yet developed rapidly, my task is to promote the sport. After achieving good results in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, I achieved this goal.

　　In the course of many trainings, I met many people who I am very grateful for. Thanks to Kravtsov Chairman of the Russian Skating Union for his trust and opportunity. Thanks to the team and my friends, the athletes of the Russian national team have helped me in years of training. Thank you Russian fans for your continued support. Thanks to my family who have always been with me. Alone, I will never achieve any goal.

　　No matter where I am, I will do my best to develop short track speed skating. Now, due to the existence of new coronaviruses, the whole world is in a difficult situation, but I believe we can respond together. Thanks for all this, I hope everyone can support my new career.

On February 15, local time, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics short-track speed skating men's 1000m final, Russia won the championship and runner-up, An Xianzhu won the gold medal with 1 minute 25 seconds 325, and Grigriv with 1 minute 25 Won the silver medal in 399 seconds. The picture shows An Xianzhu kissing the ice after victory. Photograph by China News Service

　　An Xianzhu was born in Seoul, South Korea. At the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, he won three gold medals for men's 1,000-meter, 1500-meter, and 5,000-meter short-track speed skating on behalf of South Korea and a bronze medal for men's 500-meter. Before the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, An Xianzhu failed to qualify for the Korean national team.

　　In 2011, An Xianzhu obtained Russian citizenship. In the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, he represented Russia in the short track speed skating men's 500m, 1000m, 5000m relay three gold medals and men's 1500m bronze medal. An Xianzhu also became the player who won the most gold medals in the short track speed skating event of the Winter Olympics.

　　At the end of 2017, the International Olympic Committee suspended membership of the Russian Olympic Committee on charges of doping abuse, but allowed qualified innocent athletes to participate in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in a neutral capacity. An Xianzhu was not among the athletes who were allowed to participate, and therefore missed the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. (Finish)