Team GB Olympic hockey hero Alex Danson-Bennett forced to retire after ‘life-changing’ head injury – The Sun

OLYMPIC HERO Alex Danson has retired from hockey because of a “life-changing” head injury.

Team GB’s Rio 2016 Olympic champion accidentally hit her head on a concrete wall on holiday in Kenya in 2018 and suffered long-term concussion.

Danson had hoped to make the Tokyo 2020 Olympics squad but now feels the “risk is too high” to play again.

The 34-year-old, who won 306 total caps for England and Great Britain, said: “After a long 18 months but a fabulous 18 years in the sport, it’s the right time for me to retire.

“It’s been the most incredible journey I could have asked for, but a lot has changed.

“My head injury has been life-changing, also in terms of my perspective and things that have happened within my family.

“Throughout my career I’ve been 100% immersed in being an athlete, but my priorities are different now. All of that means it's the right time.

“I’ve known over the last couple of weeks that it was a decision I needed to come to.

“It’s difficult because this has been my life.

“It’ll be strange moving into something new, but I’m totally thankful and content. I have zero regrets about the way I’ve lived my career.

“This is not a sad retirement. I have played more games in more tournaments than I could ever have dreamt of.

“I have made lifelong friends, travelled the world and loved every single minute of my career.”

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