LONDON, 3 August - Six-time Olympian Nicoleta GRASU (ROU) announced her retirement from athletics after failing to qualify for the women's discus final at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

Grasu first competed at an Olympic Games in Barcelona 1992. She won a world championship silver and three world bronze medals in her 20-year career but never won an Olympic medal. Her highest placing was sixth in Athens 2004.

She threw 61.86 metres in the qualifying round on Friday to finish 14th overall and miss out on the final by two places.

"Honestly, I did not expect this result," said the 40-year-old. "My plan was to qualify for the final.

"Unfortunately, today I had a problem with my back, which made it impossible for me to throw 63 metres (the automatic qualification mark).

"Today my career is finished. It ends here."

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