BERLIN, GERMANY -- German pole-vaulter announced her retirement on her web site Wednesday, and told the world that she long has felt as if she has been trapped in the wrong body and now is planning to undergo hormone treatment.

Buschbaum, 27, won the bronze medal at the European Championships in 1998 and 2002 and says that her decision to retire is mainly due to injuries but also because of mental imbalance.

"For many years, I've felt like I've been emotionally in the wrong body. I feel like a man and have to live my life in the body of a woman," Buschbaum says "I am aware of the fact that transsexuality is a fringe issue, and I do not want to be responsible for it remaining on the fringe."

Buschbaum asked for respect for her decision and urged observers "not to draw false conclusions."

"I do not dope," she said, adding that her "upcoming hormone treatment" contributed to her decision to quit, as did a persistent Achilles injury.

The athlete started her statement with a quote from Coelho, "How can we know who we are, if we dare not, what is within us?"

Last update: 11-21-2007 16:42