Former world record holder Manabu Horii officially announced Sunday that he would end his competitive speed skating career to pursue a life away from the rink.
"I would rather move on to fulfilling my new dream than aim for a medal in the Turin Olympics (in 2006). Skating has been my life. There were tough times, but the beautiful memories easily outweigh them," Horii said at a press conference to announce his retirement.
Horii said he plans to work for PJM Japan, a U.S.-based educational-supplies distribution company he joined in 1998, while taking in skating seminars in an effort to raise interest in the sport.