Retirement end? Italy's Olympic hero on the ground

Not so long ago, he was a celebrated hero in Italy, but now sprint star Marcell Jacobs is on the verge of giving it all up. His emotional interview is making waves across the sports world.

September 14, 2025

From: det

In the summer of 2021, Marcell Jacobs achieved what every sports-loving child dreams of. Out of nowhere, the Italian became a hero of an entire country. At the Tokyo Olympic Games, Jacobs sensationally won the gold medal in the pinnacle of athletics, the 100 meters. Because the fastest man in the world also led Italy's relay team to Olympic victory, he became a legend.

But now, four years later, everything is different. Jacobs is at rock bottom – and is openly considering retirement. The reason for this is another setback at the World Championships in Tokyo. The 30-year-old failed to make the final in the 100-meter race and was defeated in the semifinals. The injuries and sporting disappointments of the past months and years are causing Jacobs to question everything.

Jacobs (far right) was eliminated in the semifinals. © APA/afp / YUICHI YAMAZAKI

"My head tells me I can't handle these constant disappointments anymore," the Italian explained after his elimination in the 100-meter semifinal. "A year ago, after the Olympics, I told myself: If I have another difficult season, I don't know if I'll continue."

“Does it still make sense to continue suffering like this?” Marcell Jacobs

A pensive Jacobs spoke into the microphones. "What hurts me most is living every day of the year as an athlete, from dawn to dusk, and then not achieving results. I feel heavy; I'm not who I once was," said Jacobs, who also added: "People got to know me after my gold medal, but there has been three times more sadness than joy in my career. I need to take time now to understand whether it makes sense to continue suffering like this." That sounds like a farewell, but the last word hasn't been spoken.

Schlagwörter: Track & Field Marcell Jacobs