Ariella Kaeslin Retires

Jul 11, 2011 by Anne Phillips

Sad news today for international gymnastics and the Swiss national team. Ariella Kaeslin has announced her retirement from the sport.

Kaeslin is now 23 years old and was expected to lead the Swiss team at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo and likely the London Olympics. STV reports she announced an unexpected retirement from competitive gymnastics this Monday. Kaeslin, the best Swiss gymnast in history, retires a year before 2012 Olympic Games and in one of the best moments of her long career.

Kaeslin told STV, "First, it hurts to say goodbye, on the other I am looking forward to my new life with its many perspectives. My future is as open as it did when I started with the sport. I am full of excitement and curious about what it brings to me."

Kaeslin paved the way for Swiss gymnastics and accomplished great things in her career. She was a three-time Swiss Sportswoman of the Year, and was a World medalist and European Vault Champion.

Here's an overview of her accomplishments:
Europeans 2011: Bronze on vault and 8th in AA

Worlds 2010: 4th on vault and 8th in AA

Europeans 2010: 5th on vault and 6th in AA

Worlds 2009: Silver on vault and 8th in the All Around

Europeans 2009: Gold on vault and Bronze in the All Around

Olympics 2008: 5th on vault and 18th in the All Around

Europeans 2008: 4th vault

Europeans 2006: 6th vault

Europeans 2005: 4th vault

She's a tough competitor but is very sweet in person. Here's Kaeslin's interview with Gymnastike at the completion of the 2010 World Championships, after she took 4th place in the vault final:

Watch more video of Ariella Kaeslin on gymnastike.org

Here is Kaeslin's Gold medal performance in the 2009 European vault final:

Click here to read the translated version of the article