Swedish superstar Carolina Klüft could still be in the sport in 2013

Carolina Klüft says she may not retire following the London Games, raising hopes of her competing at the Goteborg 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships.

Sweden's former Olympic, world and European heptathlon champion Carolina Klüft has indicated she may change her mind about plans to retire after next year's Olympic Games in London.

Klüft, who also was the 2003 and 2006 European Athlete of the Year, stopped competing in heptathlons four years ago, after winning the 2007 world title and setting a European record of 7032 points.

She has since concentrated on the horizontal jumps and said on several occasions earlier this year  that she intended to retire and pursue other interests after the Olympics.

However, she told the international news agency Reuters earlier this week that there was a chance she would reconsider her decision.

"Obviously it's in the back of my mind, I've gone out and said it, and I know in my heart that this will most likely be my final year," said the 28-year-old Klüft, before leaving the door open to a return in 2013.

"But then nothing is written in stone, and I know I can change my mind as much as I want. I don't have to follow through on what I've said."

Klüft continuing to compete after the London Games will be especially welcomed by her compatriots, with the European Athletics Indoor Championships taking place in the Swedish city of Goteborg in March 2013.

After dominating the heptathlon from 2002 to 2007, winning an Olympic Games gold medal in 2004, three world titles and also titles at the 2002 and 2006 European Athletics Championships, she has concentrated primarily on the long jump, the event which she intends to contest in London.

Her results have been more modest but she made the final of the 2010 European Athletics Championships and 2011 World Championships.

Her long jump best is 6.97m, dating back to 2004, and she still has ambitions to go beyond seven metres.

"I needed to focus a lot on the technique, that's what was missing. Physically I feel good after fighting my way back from injury but it's the technical aspects, the timing and the feel, that aren't 100 per cent yet," added Klüft, analysing her current situation.

"I feel that it's now I should be enjoying this. I might never be back and this is my last autumn training, so I'm devouring every last moment of it."

When she finally hangs up her spikes, it is highly likely she will be involved in working with young people and children.

"I always answer questions about doping when asked to show that I'm against it, to get the message out to kids and young people that it can be done without it. I've won Olympic gold, world championships, completely clean; just hard training, really taking care of my diet and my sleep and so on.

"My mother always said: 'Caro, you're going to be a politician when you grow up', and I said: 'no way!' I can't say that any more.

"I'm not really interested of party politics, it's very tough, very compartmentalised and I have difficulty placing myself in there.

"I prefer grassroots politics, working with children and young people, working more closely with people than in the chamber. Maybe I can work as a bridge between the two,” she added.