Russia's Ivan Panin retires

Russian Nordic Combined skier Ivan Panin announced his career end. The 30-year-old athlete had a back injury last summer. After the long period of rehabilitation he began training but it was very difficult for him to return to his previous level. So he decided to retire from the elite sport.

"It was hard but two weeks ago, I finally decided to end my professional sport career. I don't know what I'm going to do in the future. But I hope that I will remain in the sport", Panin tells.

Panin started in 40 World Cup events. In 2011, he finished 12th in Ramsau, which was his personal best in the World Cup. In the same year, Panin won the gold medal at the Universiade in Erzurum. In 2013, he conquered a third place at the COC stage in Chaikovsky. In addition, Panin took part in three World Championships and also competed at the Olympic Games in Sochi.  Ivan Panin won the Russian Championships many times. And the last season he became the owner of the Cup of Russia.

Anastasia Shuhova