Spanish Olympic high jump champion Beitia announces retirement

Athletics - IAAF Athletics Diamond League meeting Zurich - Letzigrund stadium, Zurich, Switzerland - 1/9/2016 - Ruth Beitia of Spain comeptes in the high jump women. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Picture Supplied by Action Images

MADRID (Reuters) - Olympic champion high jumper Ruth Beitia has retired from athletics due to persistent injuries, the Spaniard announced on Wednesday.

"I've spent many years putting my body to 100 percent on many occasions and putting it to the limit on others," Beitia told a news conference in her home city of Santander, accompanied by her coach Ramon Torralbo.