Kevin Martin, a Canadian curling star whose career highlights include an Olympic gold medal and a world championship, will soon

Kevin Martin, a Canadian curling star whose career highlights include an Olympic gold medal and a world championship, will soon throw his last rock. Fake China Jerseys . The Edmonton skip announced his retirement Friday at the Grand Slam of Curlings Players Championship in Summerside, P.E.I. Martin plans to finish the event before becoming a spokesman for the series. The decision to retire came after the Canadian Olympic curling trials in December when Martins rink failed to book a ticket to the Sochi Games. Martin had make an official announcement when the season was over, but that changed when news surfaced last month that second Marc Kennedy and lead Ben Hebert were joining national champion Kevin Koes rink. But retirement has been on the 47-year-olds mind since winning gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. "I guess when it comes to sports you kind of know when its time," said Martin. "I thought about retiring after Vancouver and we ended up deciding to play and try to get to Sochi and trained extremely hard in the last year and came close. But (Brad) Jacobs ended up winning, which is great, but that was it. "Im not trying for another four-year term. Right after the trials, thats when I told the team and I phoned my sponsors. Everyone knew, I just didnt want to announce anything at the time. Thats not really proper." The affable Martin, nicknamed "The Bear," has been a powerhouse in Canadian curling since making his junior debut in 1984. He won a Canadian junior curling championship with Alberta in 1985 and never looked back. He leaves the sport with a glittering resume that includes a world championship in 2008, a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and four gold medals at the Brier. He also holds the record for Grand Slam titles with 17, including seven Players Championships. Martins departure from the sport wont coincide with a drop in results. He said it was important to end his career at a high point. "Absolutely. Its really important to me that I wasnt one of those guys that, you know, youre sliding down the hill there. I just dont want to be that guy," he said. "You know the trials, I felt so good after the trials. Its about the best Ive ever played I think. About a 93 per cent average for the week. "So I was really good. So I was happy, not happy to not win, but that it was a good strong effort because Im certainly not waiting around four more years for sure." Martin conceded his career highlight was his perfect run to gold in Vancouver. But a 20-year-old memory also stood out for Martin, who recalled rallying to beat Ed Werenich in the 1994 Players Championship. He remembers the losses, too. Losing out in the 2002 Olympic final stung, but Martin considers the bronze-medal match against the United States at the 1992 Albertville Games as his biggest defeat. "I dont really think we should have lost that game," he said. "And now of course, all these years later, which is many years, and I think to myself, geez, win that game and I would have had won one of each -- a gold, a silver and a bronze. Theres not many people who have that." Martin, who began playing at age seven, also has the benefit of being able to reflect on a sport that has evolved significantly during his career. Television time and corporate sponsorship have increased, ice conditions have improved, the international game is far more competitive and the players, according to Martin, look more like athletes. "The conditions have changed dramatically, and therefore the training and the precision of the athlete is completely changed as well. Its just not the same," he said. "Its so much better now because the precisions there. The athletes are in phenomenal shape." The demands of the ice are almost over for Martin. Hes looking forward to the broadcast booth, representing the sport and taking a break from practising two or three hours every day. Getting to spend more time with his three children will also be a welcome change. "It was pretty interesting for them today, because with the announcement coming tonight they dont usually phone and talk to me during curling events of course. It was a pretty big day for the Martin family, for sure." China Jerseys Wholesale .Y. - Terry and Kim Pegula have no immediate plans to tinker with their new NFL team. China Jerseys Cheap .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday. https://www.chinajerseyscheap.us/ . Watch all the action unfold live on TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. You can also watch the game live with the debut of Wednesday Night Hockey on TSN.ca and chat throughout the game with TSN.Blainville, Quebecs Aleksandra Wozniak reflects on working with her new coach and her preparation for Roland Garros in her personal blog on RDS.ca and TSN.ca. Its been a few months since I officially began working with my coach Nathalie Tauziat. During my long absence from competition (due to my shoulder injury), it was my father - a former coach - who was by my side. Because I wasnt fully recovered and I hadnt had the opportunity to test my shoulder in game situations, my comeback in New Haven last August didnt appear wise. Tennis Canada then asked me to do a one-week trial in Florida with Nathalie shortly after the end of her stint with Eugenie Bouchard last October. We had our first experience working together two month later when Nathalie came to Boca Raton for the Fed Cup camp at Chris Everts Tennis Academy. And I felt good chemistry from the start - she made a great first impression. Under these new circumstances, I decided to continue my comeback, starting with the Shenzhen tournament and Melbourne qualifications. Then off to tournaments in Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami. We get to know more during these tournaments while continuing my progress, which is still a big challenge after a long absence. Its an important adaptation for both the player and the coach. And Im glad I started this association. Its gone well and its helped me a lot - technically and strategically. As a former player - a World No. 3 and a finalist at Wimbledon in addition - she brings a lot of experience from the field. She brings me so much at all levels, including the right attitude to adapt, and we communicate really well. It was my father who taught me to play tennis. He taught me to recognize the feeling on the court and ttaught me the technique. Cheap Jerseys From China. Nathalie also works great on the same aspects, so I already felt comfortable with it. Even before the player-coach relationship, shes very friendly and open to working with anyone. She overcame many obstacles in her life and we share the same sense of perseverance. It takes character to achieve this level of competitiveness on the circuit. You have to fight every week and every game and keep a good attitude to remain at your best. Players like Maria Sharapova are successful because they have the attitude, character and they fight their challenges. Now were preparing for qualifying at Roland Garros. Im so happy to participate - I couldnt take part in my favorite Grand Slam last year because I was still undergoing rehabilitation. And I love the clay - my favorite playing surface! But I still have much work to do - like learning to slide at the right time, showing more patience and knowing when to play each type of ball. From a bigger viewpoint, Im still trying to find my game from before. Ive lost my feeling - my sense of anticipation and reaction - but now my bodys used to more tennis. Were working on the length of my ball, strategiesand my change of pace to have a more complete arsenal. Ive always been a complete player - thats to say I dont play only as flat as I can hit the ball early and make changes of pace. Its for these reasons that I was able to stay in the Top 50 in the past (as high as 21st in the world). By changing my pace and using an offensive style, I think I can beat highly-ranked players. Its important to have the as much strength as possible in this game. https://www.facebook.com/WozAlekshttp://...iak.com/Twitter @alekswoz ' ' '