Sprint champion Greene calls it a day

BEIJING, China -- Former Olympic 100 meters champion Maurice Greene has brought down the curtain on a glittering track and field career.

The 33-year-old, who took gold in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, has been blighted by injuries in recent years.

"It's a little sad for me but it's happy at the same time because I've had a great career. I've done a lot of great things," said Greene who made the announcement on Monday on a trip to Beijing.

"For the last couple of years, I've had nagging injuries that have stropped my training. So I think it's better to just call it quits."

Greene was in a pre-Games visit to the Chinese capital with a group of world and Olympic champion athletes, including Tyson Gay, the 100m and 200m men's world chanpion.

"I am going to always wish I was going to run here in Beijing," he said.

"But I believe Tyson is capable of taking my spot and to bring the gold medals back for the United States."

Kansas-born Greene was the dominant force in sprinting at the turn of the century, setting a world record of 9.79 seconds in 1999.

He won five world championship golds, including three consecutive 100 meter titles, but his last major medal came at the Athens Olympics in 2004 where he took bronze.

Greene, known for his flamboyant self-promotion, said he planned to pursue coaching and business interests in the United States. E-mail to a friend