Ariella Kaeslin, Switzerland’s most successful-ever gymnast, has said she is quitting the sport just a year before the Olympic Games in London.
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The popular 23-year-old from Lucerne, who was named Swiss Sportswoman of the Year a record three times in a row from 2008-2010, said she was struggling to reach the physical fitness needed for a professional athlete.
“Ultimately I would no longer have been able to compete in top-level sport. That would have meant that I couldn’t achieve aims which I set myself,” she said at a news conference on Monday.
She looked back at highlights of a career that lasted more than ten years. These include fifth place at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and a year later becoming the first Swiss woman to win a medal at the European championships, where she took one gold (in the vault) and one bronze (in the overall competition).
In October 2009 she became the first Swiss woman to win a medal in artistic gymnastics in a world championship competition – a silver in the vault.
Switzerland to introduce flight passenger database
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Switzerland plans to introduce a flight passenger database to collect and process personal data in a bid to combat terrorism and serious crime.
Government plans to invest over CHF16bn in Swiss rail network
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The federal government intends to invest CHF16.4 billion ($18.1 billion) in railway infrastructure between 2025 and 2028, CHF2 billion more than for the current period.
Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September
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Swiss citizens will vote on occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative on September 22, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
Ukraine peace talks: 50 countries have confirmed participation
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To date, 50 countries out 160 invited delegations have confirmed they will attend the Ukraine peace conference, held in central Switzerland in mid-June, according to Swiss public radio, RTS.
Federer-backed On boosts forecast after sneaker demand rises
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Swiss footwear company On Holding AG posted strong first-quarter revenue, boosted by demand for its running shoes and new line of training apparel.
Michael Schumacher’s watches fetch CHF4 million at Swiss auction
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Watches belonging to Formula 1 great Michael Schumacher sold for around CHF4 million ($4.41 million) at auction house Christie's in Geneva on Tuesday.
Macron will attend Swiss summit on Ukraine, says Zelensky
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French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the peace conference on Ukraine at the Swiss Bürgenstock resort next month, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
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Sport stars run up mixed year
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The year started – as it usually does – with Roger Federer winning the Australian Open. His straight-sets defeat of Andy Murray wasn’t as memorable as last year’s five-set final against Rafael Nadal (which Federer lost), but it extended his record to 16 grand slam titles – four of them down under. “I can cry…
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With six medals and 14 diplomas (for places in the first eight), Switzerland’s representatives at the Beijing Olympics fulfilled the hopes placed in them.
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