STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — Swedish Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson said yesterday he was retiring due to injuries, forcing him to miss taking part in his third Olympics, the TT news agency reported.

Olsson, 32, had to leave the Swedish team’s training camp in San Diego last week to travel home to Sweden for treatment of a recurring injury in his right foot, TT reported, pointing out that he has undergone six operations to try to fix the problem.

The Swede first took part in the Olympics in Sydney in 2000 and took gold in Athens four years later, but he first injured his foot there and was forced to miss the Beijing Olympics due to injuries.

He has also taken three golds and one silver medal in the World Championships and two gold medals in the European Championships.

Olsson enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Briton Jonathan Edwards, the reigning world record-holder, and the Englishman paid tribute to his Swedish rival on Twitter.

“Wish my friend and ex-competitor the very best for the future… great athlete and will be sad not to see him in London,” Edwards said.