Oliver Venno, the Estonian volleyball player, has announced his retirement from the national team after a successful career, citing family priorities and age as key reasons for his decision.
Oliver Venno, a prominent figure in Estonian volleyball, has officially announced his retirement from the national team. While there was previously a possibility of him participating in the upcoming European Championship finals, the 35-year-old player confirmed that he has decided to hang up his jersey for the national squad, emphasizing that his time representing Estonia is now over. This decision was communicated to the national team's head coach, Alar Rikberg, marking the end of an influential era in Estonian volleyball.
In an interview, Venno shared that a significant factor in his decision was the arrival of a second child in December, which has shifted his focus towards family life. He expressed the desire to spend more time with his loved ones, stating, "I want to spend summers with my family." At 35, Venno feels he has reached an age where making choices about work and family is essential, and his priorities have clearly shifted away from the demands of professional sports.
Moreover, Venno highlighted logistical challenges linked with the national team's training schedule, noting that much of the summer training camp will take place in Tallinn, far from his home. He concluded by stating that participating in the team under these circumstances no longer seemed worthwhile. Venno's retirement from the national team will undoubtedly leave a significant gap in Estonian volleyball as he has been a key player for many years, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered fondly by fans and teammates alike.
