Army soldier Lamin Deen retires from international bobsleigh

Army soldier Lamin Deen has retired from international bobsleigh after 15 years at the highest level of the sport.

Lance Sergeant Deen is one of the most successful military bobsleigh stars to compete on the world stage and has appeared at two Winter Olympic Games.

His crowning achievement was a World Cup gold medal in 2017 and finishes his career with exactly 100 starts in that competition.

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In a statement on social media, LSgt Deen said: "It's time for me to say goodbye.

"I would like to thank my friends, family teammates, the international bobsleigh community and coaches for the support you have given me throughout the years."

He also told British Bobsleigh and Skeleton: "I'm retiring with a smile on my face as I've had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people while competing in such an amazing sport.

"Attending two Olympic Games and multiple World Championships are massive highlights but the biggest achievement is probably winning that World Cup race in Whistler while setting the world’s fastest time – that's something I'd always wanted to do.

"As I grew up in the sport, I wanted to do three things as well as compete at the Olympics: I wanted to win a race, be the fastest, and set a track record – and we did that in Whistler.

"Bobsleigh's been a huge part of my life over the past 15 years. I can't really explain my admiration for people who voluntarily run off the tops of icy mountains in the pursuit of continuously going faster and faster so I'm grateful I've been able to be around so many of them!"