MEIRINGEN, Switzerland (AP) -- Olympic aerials champion Nikki Stone gave in Friday to a chronic back problem and announced her retirement.
The two-time Olympian, who has won three World Cup titles plus the aerials gold medal at the 1995 World Championships, made the announcement at the freestyle World Championships, a day before the aerials finals Saturday."I didn't want people to think this decision is based on how I do Saturday," she said. "Whether I win the world championship again or finish last, I decided a while ago that I'd retire at the end of the season.
"I'm proud of what I've done in my career. I've had a good career and I've got some mixed emotions because I'll miss my teammates and the athletes I've competed against," she said.
"I've learned to cope with a lot of pain, but I'm getting married this summer and I'll want to spend time with my husband. And I want to be sure I can sit down and bend and walk and play some day with my children and grandchildren."
Stone grew up in Boston and now lives in Park City, Utah. In addition to the Olympic gold medal and the three World Cup titles, she won 11 World Cup events.