Radanova could not reach the final in any of her three events at last weekend's world championships in her native Sofia but she still bowed out of competition as one of Bulgaria's most successful sportspeople.

Now 32, the seven-times European champion plans to channel her talent into nurturing the next generation of winter sports athletes and helping Bulgaria to get back on track after its team left last month's Vancouver Olympics empty-handed.

Radanova was the first Bulgarian to win more than one medal at the Winter Olympics, taking silver and bronze in Salt Lake City in 2002 and another silver in Turin four years later.

"I love skating and I'm still as enthusiastic as I was when I started training nearly 23 years ago but unfortunately it's too risky to carry on," the former world champion told Reuters at the Winter Sports Palace in Sofia.

Short track skating has often been described as roller derby on ice and injuries are rife. Radanova has had her share.

"I still have the desire to compete but after pushing myself mentally and physically beyond my limits following all the injuries I think it's more sensible to stop.

"It's no secret that being an elite competitor involves huge sacrifices but I'm human after all and my body just can't take everything," said Radanova, who also represented Bulgaria in cycling at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens.

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