Athletics: South African Meyer retires at 38

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's Olympic 10,000m metres silver medallist Elana Meyer has announced her retirement from athletics at the age of 38. 

Meyer's defining moment came in 1992 when South Africa returned to Olympic competition in Barcelona after years of apartheid-induced international isolation.

She won South Africa's first Olympic medal since 1960 behind Ethiopian Derartu Tulu, who outsprinted her on the final lap of the 10,000m. 

Tulu and Meyer then shared a joyous victory lap, side by side, with their national flags draped over their shoulders in a powerful symbol of South Africa's reacceptance into the world of international sport. 

Meyer holds the world records for the 15km of 46 minutes 57 seconds, set in 1991, and the half-marathon of one hour six minutes 44 seconds, set in 1999. 

She won the world half marathon title in 1994 and carried that form into marathons with top-three finishes in the Boston and Chicago races. 

- REUTERS