Former University of Oregon track star Andrew Wheating, who represented the U.S. in two Olympic Games, retired from competitive running on Thursday.

Wheating, 30, made the announcement on his Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Wheating thanked the Oregon Track Club, OTC Elite coach Mark Rowland, Nike, his agent, friends, family and fans.

"To those who have supported me through the good and the bad, I Iove you," Wheating wrote. "Thank you so much for the years of kind words, congratulations, and high fives. Any Wheating fan was an instant friend to me, and I couldn't have asked for a kinder group of people with a stronger passion for the sport of running."

Wheating won three NCAA individual titles while running for the Ducks, in the 800 meters in 2009 and 2010, and in the 1,500 in 2010.

He took part in one of the most iconic moments in Hayward Field history while placing second in the 800 at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials as a UO sophomore. He finished immediately behind Nick Symmonds and in front of Christian Smith, both of Oregon Track Club Elite.

All three ran for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Wheating made the U.S. team again in 2012, this time competing in London in the 1,500.

After leaving the Ducks, Wheating remained in Eugene as a Nike-sponsored professional, much of the time as a member of OTC Elite.

His last few years were dogged by injuries.

Wheating retires with personal records of 1 minute, 44.56 seconds in the 800, and 3:30.90 in the 1,500.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe