Shooting gold medallist Ahmed Al Maktoum, who won the United Arab Emirates' first Olympic medal last month, has quit over lack of support from his country.
"Instead of asking me why I quit, why don't you call up the leadership of this country? I am sure they won't even answer your telephone," Al Maktoum told Reuters on Tuesday.
"I have sacrificed a lot, nearly for a decade, to win this medal for my country. But what did it give me? Absolutely nothing."
Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's ruling family, won gold in the men's double trap shooting last month in Athens.
He was given a reception by Dubai Crown Prince and UAE defence minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on his return from the Games.
The Dubai authorities also have plans to name a street after him but he said that was not enough.
"There is no change in their (officials') attitude or thinking. Look at other countries and see how they treat their sporting heroes," Al Maktoum said.
"Here there is no change, no support and I don't see things changing for the better."
The 40-year-old shooter has long been critical of the sport and youth authorities in his country.
