Beach Volleyball

Swiss Olympian Mirco Gerson announces retirement

News

Article Mon, Sep 6 2021

Switzerland’s elite Beach Volleyball player Mirco Gerson has announced his retirement from competitive sport at the age of 28.  

Mirco Gerson in action at the CEV Continental Cup Final in The Hague

“I was able to fulfil a childhood dream by competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and did always give my best when competing across the world,” says Mirco Gerson, who looks back on his career with mostly positive feelings. In the past few months, however, he has become increasingly aware that he is no longer at peace with all the travelling and the sacrifices imposed by elite sport and that he can no longer pursue his goals in Beach Volleyball with the necessary determination.

“Volleyball and Beach Volleyball have always been at the centre of my life. I experienced all emotions and facets - positive and negative. Beach Volleyball was therefore an excellent school of life for me; and yet life has much more to offer. Despite this, I am sure that I will remain connected with the sport in the future.”

Mirco Gerson (SUI)
Mirco Gerson and partner Adrian Heidrich celebrate their qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

In the coming weeks, Mirco will take time to re-think and define his future goals. “Mirco Gerson was a very talented athlete, with an excellent understanding of the game and a strong side-out,” said Sebastian Beck, Head of Beach Volleyball at Swiss Volley. “I perceived him as a very passionate and fair athlete. I wish Mirco all the best for his future endeavours and hope that at some point he will make his knowledge available to other young talents.”

On the FIVB World Tour, Gerson stood on the podium four times - including bronze at the Stavanger Grand Slam and gold at the 3-star tournament in Qinzhou, China. Together with Adrian Heidrich, he qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo after claiming top honours from the CEV Continental Cup Final this past June in The Hague. In addition to that, five Swiss championship titles feature on his resume. His current team partner Adrian Heidrich will continue his career. Whom he will form a team with towards Paris 2024 is part of the evaluation process for the coming weeks.

#BeachVolleyball