Swiss Olympic hero

Retirement? Ski jumping legend Ammann speaks out now

Simon Ammann(Bild: GEPA)

It's been quiet around him, he hasn't been seen in the World Cup for weeks - has four-time Olympic champion Simon Ammann quietly, silently and secretly flown off into ski jumping retirement? Long question, short answer: "I will [...] not stop!" says the 42-year-old eagle veteran ... 

Just a few months ago, Ammann celebrated his 25th appearance in the Four Hills Tournament - and even though the Swiss athlete may not have enjoyed the big successes for a few years now, he doesn't want to end his career.

However, as he told "Blick", he will not be competing in Planica next week: "I'm continuing my regular training and jumping in Einsiedeln, among other places. My jumps have developed positively, but going ski flying doesn't make sense at the moment."

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

"I'm not making any more plans!"
This season, Ammann was only able to score 27 World Cup points, with his best individual result being 21st place in Oberstdorf. Even in the second-class Continental Cup, he recently only achieved 25th and 18th place in Zakopane in Poland.

Despite these modest results, what drives the double Olympic champion from 2002 in Salt Lake City and 2010 in Vancouver is the 2026 Olympic Games in Italy. In the Swiss Olympic Blog, Ammann said: "The 2026 Winter Games [...] with Simon Ammann? I don't think that's realistic. I'm not making any more plans, but to experience the Olympics in Europe again would be a dream!"