Olympic medallist Mathias Boe announces retirement from international badminton

Denmark's ace doubles exponent Mathias Boe, a silver medallist at the 2012 London Olympics and 2013 World Championships, called time on his illustrious career.

In his career spanning two decades, the 39-year-old Danish shuttler has partnered the likes of Michael Jensen, Thomas Hovgaard and Michael Lamp, before striking up a successful long-term combination with Carsten Mogensen.

"Throughout my career, I have demanded of myself that I would do everything I could to become the best badminton player I could. But I have not been able to do that lately. That is why it is time to stop," Mathias was quoted as saying by THE Badminton World Federation (BWF).

"After announcing in February that the Thomas Cup or Olympics would be my last tournament, I thought it might give me the motivation to give me a 100 per cent over the last few months, but unfortunately, it has had the opposite effect.

"I have noticed that I have not been there completely, neither for training nor for matches. I have not had my thoughts in the right place. Mentally, I am simply too exhausted."