South African Olympian LJ van Zyl has decided to end his illustrious athletics career.
Van Zyl, who is the South African 400m hurdles record-holder, has represented his country at three Olympics and six IAAF World Championships.
The 32-year-old has won three Commonwealth Games medals, including a gold in the men's 400m hurdles at the Melbourne Games in 2006.
"The time has arrived to say goodbye to athletics. Its been a great journey for the last 23 years of my life. Thanks to all my sponsors, coaches and friends," said Van Zyl on Twitter.
The Bloemfontein-born athlete burst on to the scene in 2001, and won his international medal at the 2001 World Youth Championships, where he took the bronze.
In 2011, Van Zyl set a South African record at an athletics meeting in Pretoria stopping the clock in 47.66 seconds - improving upon Llewellyn Herbert's national mark.
Van Zyl represented his country for the final time at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, he finished sixth in the men's 400m hurdle heat and failed to progress further.
