Jessica Ennis-Hill likely to stay involved in sport and shun television role after heptathlon retirement

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Liam Blackburn18 October 2016

Jessica Ennis-Hill has said she is likely to shun a role in television in favour of a continued involvement in sport having retired from the heptathlon with no regrets.

The 30-year-old, a gold medallist at London 2012, called time on her athletics career last week following the summer's Rio Olympics where she claimed a silver two years after giving birth to her first child, Reggie.

Ennis-Hill bid farewell to the British public along with 350 other athletes at a parade in Manchester on Monday, when over 200,000 people were expected to take to the streets to celebrate the achievements of both TeamGB and Paralympics GB in Brazil.

And, speaking from one of the floats carrying the athletes, Ennis-Hill revealed her next step post-retirement is likely to see her offer guidance in the field of sport.

"For the moment I'm just going to have a bit of time away to spend time with Reggie and my family," she told BBC Radio 5 Live.

In Pictures: Great Britain's Rio 2016 athletes at Manchester Parade

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"I need to think about what I really want to do, something that I enjoy and that I'm passionate about moving forward. I think I'll definitely stay involved in sport in some way.

"I love getting people into sport, helping people get active and healthy, that's something I enjoy and I'm passionate about.

"TV presenting...I'm not sure if that's for me but I'm going to take this time to enjoy this moment and reflect, really."

Ennis-Hill's retirement means she will not return to London's Olympic Stadium for next year's World Championships but she reiterated that she was at ease with her decision to move on from competing.

"Retirement is really good, it's still strange and I'm adjusting to everything, but it's a really nice occasion to come here, be on the floats, celebrate Rio and also say goodbye to everyone," she added.

"I know 100 per cent it's the right decision, I've no regrets at all. It's going to be strange obviously not training every day, I've been in that environment for so many years but I'm 100 per cent sure it's the right decision and I'm looking forward to it."

Ennis-Hill also confirmed that her future would not involve coaching her son, even if he has shown a penchant for sport already in his tender years.

"He loves throwing and he is really active and quite sporty already," the mum-of-one said.

"I'll encourage him into sport but I'm not going to be his coach, definitely not!"

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