Sochi Olympics hero David Murdoch slides into retirement

David Murdoch's greatest achievement - skipping Great Britain to a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Games. Picture: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

The 39-year-old from Lockerbie skipped GB to  silver in Sochi 2014 and didn’t hide his disappointment at being denied a shot at a fourth Games after selectors went for youngster Kyle Smith’s rink.

Murdoch, who will now  take up a coaching role with British Curling, said: “After the announcement regarding PyeongChang I had to think about what would come next. I had always wanted to pursue my coaching and management ambitions and now I feel ready for that.”

In a medal-laden career, the highlights include two world junior golds, three European golds, two world championship golds and that Sochi silver.

Murdoch added: “It was a tough decision but at the same time I am incredibly grateful for what I have achieved in the sport, the opportunities it has given me and the titles I have won.

“Looking back when I won the world junior championships I remember wishing I could one day be a national champion. In some ways I have achieved far more than I ever dreamed of, going on to win national, European and world titles.

“For me there were no regrets there, I had lots of great experiences and life  lessons and I have made amazing friends all around the world, from fans, coaches, team mates and opponents.

“I especially want to thank my team-mates, support staff and coaches for their incredible dedication and of course my wife, Stephanie, and my family, which made every  success possible.”

After narrow podium misses at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Games in Turin and Vancouver, unfinished business was settled in Russia when Murdoch and his team-mates Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow and Tom Brewster secured their silver medal in Sochi, the pinnacle of a British male team’s performance to date.

Murdoch and his GB team lost the final to Canada but he said: “That Olympic medal was for every team member I have ever played with, from the early years right up to when I was the oldest member of my team.

“That success only happens when every member of the team and support team pulls together and has the same level of dedication to be better, be stronger and improve in any way possible.”

Mike Hay, the former Scottish curling performance director and now Team GB Chef de Mission for PyeongChang said: “David pioneered full-time curling in Great Britain and his combination of drive and ambition has helped him achieve unprecedented world and Olympic success.

“I wish him all the very  best as he retires as one of Scotland’s greatest ever skips and I have no doubt he will prove to be an inspirational leader.”