Minutes after winning their third consecutive Olympic Games gold medal in women’s beach volleyball on Wednesday, the magnificent American beach volleyball duo announced an end to what is considered one of the most triumphant partnerships in the Games. Misty-May Treanor, 35, and Kerri Walsh Jennings, 33, made history after defeating fellow Americans April Ross and Jennifer Kessy in two sets, 21-16, 21-16, to extend their undefeated title in three successive Games, 21-0. The duo lost only one of 43 sets. The women had a 12 year partnership that helped catapult beach volleyball to one of the hottest tickets at the Games.
“Beach volleyball is not going to be my career anymore,” May-Treanor told reporters shortly after her golden match. “It’s time for me to be a wife. I want to be a mom. I want to share this time with my family,” she said. “All of us athletes sacrifice more of the family than people maybe realize. It’s getting back to that. My mind says it’s time, my body says it’s time. It’s the right time. It’s time for me now to help the next generation.” Walsh Jennings is looking forward to a possible appearance at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
