Carolina Marin (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Carolina Marin, one of badminton’s greatest players and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, has announced her retirement from professional badminton, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career. The Spanish star shared the news via an emotional video on social media, confirming he will miss the upcoming European Championships in his hometown of Huelva despite receiving a wild card.
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Bird droppings, monkeys and smog: Inside the badminton controversy in 2026At 32, Marin said her decision was largely driven by recurring injuries that made it too risky to continue competing. “Today I want to be direct. My journey in professional badminton is over and that’s why I will not participate in the European Championships in Huelva,” she said.She admitted that she had hoped to play one final match, but decided not to risk further damage. “I wanted us to see each other one last time on the track, but I don’t want to put my body at risk for that. I’ve said it many times and I stand by my decision.” Looking back, she realized that her last appearance had already happened at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was forced to withdraw mid-match due to a knee injury. “I ended up walking the runway in Paris in 2024, but we didn’t know it then,” she said.Marin leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, including an Olympic gold medal, three world titles and several European crowns. She famously defeated PV Sindhu in the Rio 2016 final to become Spain’s first Olympic champion in badminton.Although he will not end his career at the court in Huelva, the city still holds sentimental value. “I wanted the journey to end in Huelva, and so it will. Not with a racket in hand, but in the city where I was born, to close the circle for many years,” she said.Thankful for her journey, Marin thanked her supporters: “Thank you for never letting me down, for being by my side and supporting me in the most difficult moments. Thank you for your unconditional love.”“I leave my passion very proud of everything I have achieved, but more than the titles, the fact that I have earned respect in the world of sport,” she added, looking forward to the new chapter ahead.
