Bradbury to retire and become a fireman

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Australia's first Winter Olympic gold medalist Steven Bradbury is planning to swap his iceskates for a fireman's helmet.

Bradbury, who arrived home in Brisbane on Wednesday, said he would retire from speed skating to become a fire fighter.

"I'm still planning on joining the fire brigade, I'm going ahead with that," Bradbury said at a news conference.

Labeled the "Accidental Hero" when he won gold in the 1,000 meters in Salt Lake City after the other four leading competitors crashed and fell over, Bradbury said he was satisfied he deserved to win.

"Everybody that I have spoken to has basically said I 100 percent deserved it and in myself I believe that," he said.

"It would have been nice if I had of won the gold medal back in 1994 when I was one of the favorites.

The 28-year-old said he had planned to retire after the 1998 Nagano Olympics in Japan but was too disappointed with his performance.

"What better way could you ask to finish," Bradbury said. "For me it's just obviously an ultimate way to walk away from a career that's taken me from the bottom to the top and all over the place."

Bradbury said he was looking forward to catching up on some sleep and surfing. But he also said he would continue his skate-making business because sponsors were starting to show a keen interest.

The world championships are scheduled for Montreal, Canada next month. Bradbury said he would consider entering the competition but guaranteed it would be his last.

 

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