Athletics: Olympian Sarah Cowley calls time on career

New Zealand High Jumper Sarah Cowley during the women's High Jump at Hampden Park during the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. 2 August 2014 New Zealand Herald Photograph By Greg Bowker

Kiwi Olympian Sarah Cowley has called time on her competitive athletics career.

The 30-year-old represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, multiple World University Games and has many national titles to her name.

She came 26th in the London Games heptathlon and ninth in the high jump in Glasgow this year.

The Rotorua product is currently ranked second on the New Zealand all-time lists in both high jump (1.91m) and heptathlon (6135 points). She last represented New Zealand at the Continental Cup in Morocco in September.

"For over half my life I have dedicated myself to running fast, jumping as high and long as possible and throwing implements as far as possible. It has been an absolute privilege and truly been a blast but it is time for me to move on."

Cowley intends to focus on a communications degree, and aspires for a career in sports broadcasting.