Zelezny says this season will be his last

Former triple world and Olympic javelin champion Jan Zelezny plans to wind up a career that has spanned two decades after August's European Championships in Gothenburg.

"After all, it was not a difficult decision. Years pass and cannot be stopped," Czech news agency CTK quoted the 39-year-old as saying.

"One cannot stay on the top of the sport all of his life."

The world record holder still hopes to claim the only major title that has evaded him in Gothenburg. His best European Championship result was third in 1994.

"If I am healthy, there is a chance that this would be a successful year for me," Zelezny said.

Widely acknowledged as the greatest javelin thrower in history, the Czech has suffered with injuries in recent years.

He missed the 2005 World Championships because of an Achilles tendon problem.

Zelezny won his first major medal, a bronze, at the 1987 World Championships in Rome. He went on to take the world title in 1993, 1995 and 2001 and was Olympic champion in 1992, 1996 and 2000. His world record of 98.48m has stood for almost 10 years.

The Czech Republic's only International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Zelezny plans to remain in the sport as a coach.