A GOLD medal-winning athlete has announced his retirement from the sport to pursue an acting career.
York-based 400m runner Richard Buck, who was part of the victorious Great Britain 400m relay team at the European Indoor Championships in 2013, said he was take up a place on an Acting Masters course in Birmingham, in September.
The 28-year-old, who was made a Freeman of York two years ago, said his last race would be on August 5, in Copenhagen.
He said: "I will be seeing this season through to the end before hanging up my spikes.
"I believe you've got to give yourself entirely to your pursuits, and so I had to make my decision."
"It was always my plan to run through until Rio 2016 or London 2017, however, I always said that I'd be flexible to other opportunities which came my way."
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