Carolina Marín, widely regarded as one of badminton’s all-time greats, a triple world champion and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medalist, has declared her retirement at the age of 32, citing a need to focus on her health. This decision follows a severe knee injury sustained during the semi-final of Paris 2024, which ultimately compelled her to end her illustrious career.
Reflecting on her journey, Marín posted: “My path ends here. I thank you all, because in one way or another, you have also been a part of it. In this new chapter, I will always carry with me the values that have guided me this far, and I will try to give back to society everything it has given me over the years. It has been a wonderful journey.”
Marín had been out of competition since her injury in August 2024. She had initially aimed to make a comeback at the European Championships in her hometown of Huelva, where a stadium bears her name. However, she ultimately decided against it, stating: “I wanted us to see each other one last time on the court, but I don’t want to risk my body for that.”
Marín once expressed a desire to conclude her career on court. “I am aware of my decision. I would have wanted my end as a player to be different, but in life, things don’t always go as planned, and you have to accept that,” she said. Ironically, her career did indeed end on the court in Paris, even if “we didn’t know it at the time,” she reflected.
Had she not sustained the injury, Marín was poised to defeat her opponent He Bingjiao (she was leading 31-19 at the time of the injury) and would have undoubtedly secured at least a silver medal in Paris.
Among Marín’s numerous achievements, she holds the distinction of being the only non-Asian female player to win Olympic gold in badminton (Rio 2016). She also holds the record for the most weeks as world number one, accumulating an impressive 66 weeks, and clinched seven European Championship gold medals between 2014 and 2024.