Dear fans, supporters and dear friends,
Today begins a new journey that fills me with nostalgia and anticipation. With mixed emotions, I announce my retirement from professional mountain biking. As I reflect on my incredible career, I am grateful for the extraordinary experiences, wins, and connections that have shaped me into the person I am today.
First of all, I want to express my deepest appreciation to all of you, my devoted fans and supporters. You have been the driving force behind my successes, the wind under my wings. Your unwavering encouragement and trust in me propelled me to reach the heights I had dreamed of. Whether you supported me from the sidelines or interacted through social media, your presence made this journey truly extraordinary.
I will always cherish the memories of standing on the World Cup podium and representing Canada at two Olympic Games, a testament to the countless hours of training, sacrifice and sheer determination. To finish third overall twice in the World Cup series and have conquered the World Cup podium more than 17 times is an achievement that will forever fill my heart with pride. Bronze medals at the World Championships in 2016 and 2018, fourth place at the Rio Olympics, and over 9 victories at the Canadian National Championships have all become indelible milestones woven into the fabric of my personal history.
Throughout my journey as a professional athlete I have had the opportunity to experience the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows, I have come to appreciate that success is beyond medals. The very essence of my experience lies in the valuable lessons learned, memorable encounters and moments of personal growth that arise when you face challenges head on – Emily Batty
