(Toronto) Two-time Olympic trampoline gold medalist Rosie MacLennan has announced that she is retiring from her athletic career, but will continue her efforts to make sport safer in Canada.
The 34-year-old gymnast has represented Canada at four Summer Olympics, winning competitions in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016), where she became the first trampolinist to defend her Olympic title.
MacLennan most recently served as chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.
“It’s time to move on to the next chapter, where I will continue to push for better sport governance, more accountability, and for athletes to be seen as partners,” MacLennan said on social media. I will work so that more girls continue to practice a sport and have more professional opportunities.
“I will continue to use my status to ensure the next generation has a better sport. »
MacLennan was one of the best-known athletes to demand changes in Canadian national federations. Hundreds of gymnasts, boxers, bobsledders and skeleton athletes have demanded independent investigations against their federation.
Both Hockey Canada and Gymnastics Canada had their federal government funding frozen while both federations were embroiled in scandals over allegations of sexual abuse and assault.
MacLennan has been dominant at every level over her 26-year career. In addition to taking part in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Games, she has climbed the podium in several other international competitions.
She was a gold medalist at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games, after a silver medal in 2007. She also won seven medals at the World Gymnastics Championships: two gold and silver, in addition to three bronze.
“My experience as an athlete has exceeded all of my childhood dreams,” concluded MacLennan.