Canadian Olympic skier Warren Shouldice retires

CALGARY, Alberta, July 23 (UPI) -- Canadian Olympic freestyle aerial skier Warren Shouldice announced his retirement Monday, saying he's leaving on his own terms.

"Every athlete has to make this decision at some point," said the 29-year-old with a history of traumatic injuries, including a broken neck, a compression fracture of his back and a concussion, and triumphs that included participation in two Winter Olympics and the completion of a perfect triple-full-full maneuver, a triple flip with five twists, at the 2011 world championships in Deer Valley, Utah.

"I'm getting out while I'm ahead. I plan to live until I'm 100 years old. I want to be able to play hockey for the rest of my life, and surf, and enjoy the cabin. I want to enjoy being a healthy, fit, active person, and I can do that. I'm really excited about getting an education, getting a job and moving forward" the Calgary, Alberta, native said at his retirement announcement Monday.