Former world pole vault champion Markov retires

MELBOURNE, Feb 28 (Reuters) Former world pole vault champion Dmitri Markov, who hailed from Belarus but scored his most notable achievements wearing Australian colours, has been forced to retire due to a persistent foot injury.

The 31-year-old triumphed at the 2001 worlds in Edmonton with a leap of 6.05 metres, still the highest mark achieved in a major track and field championships.

Only Ukraine's world record holder Sergei Bubka has jumped higher.

He will make his farewell appearance in Melbourne on Friday in the World Athletics Tour meet at Olympic Park.

''It was a difficult decision to retire but my foot has been troubling me for a long time,'' Markov told reporters today.

''I will try to do my best on Friday, but I don't know how it will go.'' Markov gained Australian citizenship in 1999 after finishing sixth at the Atlanta Games in 1996 for Belarus.

He won silver at the 1999 world championships in Seville and came fifth in the Sydney Olympics before his record leap in Canada sealed his only major outdoor gold medal.

''It feels like it was only yesterday and it was the highlight of my career,'' Markov said.

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