Olympic champion Jennifer Jones announces retirement from women’s team curling
The Sochi 2014 gold medallist has said she will instead focus on mixed doubles with her husband Brent Laing.
Canada’s Jennifer Jones has announced she will retire from four-player women’s curling at the end of the season.
The 49-year-old two-time Olympian and Sochi 2014 gold medallist confirmed the decision in a post on social media on Tuesday (13 February).
“I have decided that at the end of this season, I will retire from women’s curling,” Jones said.
“I have been so privileged to play thousands of games – the Olympics, National and World Championships, grand slams, and so much more – domestically and internationally. Curling has challenged me, changed me and called me to be a better person, and I will be forever grateful.”
Though waving goodbye to the team game Jones will continue to compete in mixed doubles alongside her husband Brent Laing. The husband-and-wife pair are the current defending Canadian champions of the discipline that has featured in the Winter Olympics since PyeongChang 2018.
“This decision to step away from women’s competition will allow me to transition to other opportunities, and to be able to focus on my family and be more present with our children in their own lives,” the skip continued.
“I will continue to compete in mixed doubles with my teammate and husband Brent. This is a decision that will make it just a little less hard to leave what I love so much.”
Jones is set to compete in the Canadian women’s championship taking place this weekend. It will be her 18th appearance at the event.
The Candian will retire from the women’s team game as one of the most decorated curlers in history. In addition to her Olympic exploits, Jones is a two-time world champion and six-time national champion.
