Bimson quits but claims London's lure means others might not follow

Posted: Wednesday 26th November 2008 | 18:41

LEICESTER midfielder Jennie Bimson believes a home Olympics will sway some of Great Britain's senior players to postpone their retirements.

^{RETIRED: Jennie Bimson has quit international hockey but believes others will stay on (Getty Images)}

Bimson, 32, announced in July she would be quitting international hockey after the Beijing Olympics.

However, Bimson believes the draw of a home Olympics in 2012 will inspire many of her international team-mates to carry on playing.

"I think more than half of the current GB squad will be playing in 2012," she said.

"Obviously it's hard to predict because four years is a long time, but I think the fact that the Games are in London will be a big draw.

"It wasn't enough of a draw for me, but I think some players who might have otherwise hung up their sticks will wait until after London 2012."

Great Britain skipper Kate Walsh, who already has over 200 international caps for Great Britain and England, will be 32 in four years time, and so could still feature.

However, veteran defender Mel Clewlow, the most capped home nation player in history, is 32 and may follow Bimson into retirement.

With the likes of 18-year-old Charlotte Craddock, there is plenty of young talent in the squad, while Crista Cullen and Alex Danson are well-established members of the Great Britain team, despite being just 23.

Bimson's international swansong came to an abrupt end, after a calf injury forced her to retire from the group match against New Zealand.

"I made up my mind coming into 2008 that I was going to retire," she said.

"When we didn't qualify for Athens 2004 I thought about retiring then, but I decided I would give it another go.

"The Olympics are the pinnacle - I've played in three World Cups, three Commonwealth Games and four European Championships, but I had never gone to an Olympic Games."

Great Britain were ranked tenth in the world going into the Games, and after failing to qualify for Athens 2004, they set themselves a top-six target.

After a disappointing 0-0 draw with USA in the final group match, Britain's women missed out on the semi-finals, but achieved sixth place.

And with automatic qualification and a home advantage, Danny Kerry's women will be looking to London 2012 to go even better.

Two of Bimson's greatest memories take place on home turf, winning a Commonwealth Games silver medal, and qualifying for Beijing, last summer, both at Manchester's Belle Vue Stadium.

"In Manchester in 2002 we beat Australia in the Commonwealth Games semi-final, and it was made all the more special because we were playing in front of a home crowd," said Bimson.

"And qualifying for the Olympics last summer, beating Spain in the bronze medal match of the European Championships was just amazing."

Despite her retirement, Bimson is excited by the prospect of the Games coming to London.

"I think with the current economic climate the Olympics have all been forgotten about a bit, but I don't think people have realised how exciting having the Olympics here is going to be," she added.

JO CARTER