Olympics Dec 08, 2025

David Weir: Six-time Paralympic champion announces retirement from competing for Great Britain

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
David Weir: Six-time Paralympic champion announces retirement from competing for Great Britain

Wheelchair racer David Weir announced his retirement from Paralympic competition after finishing fifth in the men's T54 marathon in Paris.

The 45-year-old won six Paralympic gold medals, including four at London 2012, having made his debut aged 17 at Atlanta in 1996.

"It was quite emotional at the end because this will be my last race for GB," said Weir after posting a time of one hour, 33 minutes and 27 seconds.

"I'll still do the major marathons, I still enjoy doing them, but it'll be my last international. My body just couldn't cope with it today. It's an age thing, I was the oldest in the field.

"I am still highly competitive and still trying to beat Daniel (Romanchuk, 26-year-old American athlete who finished fourth) who is half my age, I could be his dad! I'm still doing all right. I gave it my all today."

Britain's Hannah Cockroft, who won her ninth Paralympic gold medal earlier this week, paid tribute to her team-mate.

"Dave Weir is an absolute hero of our team and of the whole Paralympic movement," Cockroft told Your Site News. "What he achieved at London 2012 was history making, it was ground-breaking.

"Being able to be a part of that career feels like a real privilege for me.

"It's a sad day when Dave Weir leaves the sport, but he has his academy, he brings hundreds of children through our sport every single year. He's brought some fantastic champions to our start line.

"He'll be missed and I just hope that he knows that he'll always be a part of our team.

"He'll always be welcome back because I don't believe for a single second that David Weir can hang up his gloves and leave just like that, so I don't think this will be the end but it's been an absolute privilege to be on his team."

Tags:

olympics news

Share this article

Related Posts

Olympics 2024: Breakdancer Raygun calls for harassment to end as Australian Olympic Committee condemn 'faleshoods'

Olympics 2024: Breakdancer Raygun calls for harassment to end as Australian Olympic Committee condemn 'faleshoods'

Breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known as Raygun, who became a social media talking point after her Paris 2024 performance, has called for the harassment to...

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo says it is 'legitimate' to question her participation in Paralympics

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo says it is 'legitimate' to question her participation in Paralympics

Transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo said it is legitimate to question her participation in women's sport following her failure to qualify for the P...

Olympics 2024: USA gymnast Jordan Chiles receives online racist abuse after losing her bronze medal

Olympics 2024: USA gymnast Jordan Chiles receives online racist abuse after losing her bronze medal

Gymnast Jordan Chiles says she received online racist abuse after losing her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics in controversial fashion."I am overw...

Paralympics 2024: All you need to know ahead of Paris Games - events, British stars, medal hopes, athletes' village

Paralympics 2024: All you need to know ahead of Paris Games - events, British stars, medal hopes, athletes' village

We answer the key questions ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.The 2024 Paralympic Games begin on August 28 and conclude on September 8.Acros...

Paralympics legend Hannah Cockroft calls for pay parity with Olympians after historic eighth gold medal

Paralympics legend Hannah Cockroft calls for pay parity with Olympians after historic eighth gold medal

Hannah Cockroft has called for financial parity between Olympic and Paralympic champions following her latest historic triumph.Wheelchair racer Cockro...

Los Angeles Olympics 2028: Hip hop legend Dr Dre says he is 'serious' about competing in archery at next Games

Los Angeles Olympics 2028: Hip hop legend Dr Dre says he is 'serious' about competing in archery at next Games

Music icon Dr Dre says he wants to compete for the USA in archery at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.During an interview on Entertainment Tonight, th...