Michael Blackwood

Former World number-one 400m runner Michael Blackwood has declined a late offer to represent Jamaica at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Blackwood, who won bronze in the 400m at the 2003 Paris Championships and helped Jamaica to bronze in the 4x400m, also announced his retirement.

"I felt I was burnt out for the season ... going towards Berlin, I felt like I did not have anything left, so I declined the offer," he said.

"I think that's it for me ... I'm retired," added Blackwood, who helped Jamaica to the 1600m relay bronze at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Blackwood, the 2002 Common-wealth Games 400m champion, said "it was a tough decision, but it's been coming since last season".

National trials

He said his disqualification at the National trials in June "also contributed".

Also he said his performances, 45.63 in Abuja (third), 46.01 in Barcelona (seventh) and 46.38 in Stockholm (third in the B race) after trials were below par.

"I just decided it was time for me to move on," added Blackwood, who has a season best of 45.54, done for second at the Jamaica Invitational in May.

"I felt like I did not need to go any further ... mental and physically I was burnt out," he added.

A big performer for Jamaica over the years, Blackwood described his 2002 season as the best.

"It was the highlight of my career. I was ranked number one in the world and won basically everything that year, so that was the highlight of my career," he said.

Personal best

The Commonwealth Games, World Cup and National titles, his personal best of 44.60 and a few Grand Prix wins demonstrated his impressive 2002 season.

However, the following year when he was relegated to fourth at the World Championships was identified as his worst.

He was, however, with the disqualification of American winner Jerome Young, promoted to bronze, but he said there was no joy in the achievement, which came much later.

"It wasn't the same because I never felt the joy of going on the podium," he explained.

So now Blackwood will look towards life after track and field.

"I have my family to take care of," he said.

That might not be too difficult for the retired 400m runner, who said he would make use of his degree in graphic design from the University of Oklahoma.

"I also have ambition of doing some form of coaching," said the married father of two boys.