Olympics Feb 04, 2026

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

Paralympics 2024 LIVE! News and updates from Paris, where Great Britain won 124 medals - including 49 golds

Paralympics 2024 LIVE! News and updates from Paris, where Great Britain won 124 medals - including 49 golds

O'Neill: A season-defining period for CelticMartin O'Neill looks ahead to a season-defining period for Celtic amid key Scottish Premiership, Scottish...

Olympics 2024 LIVE! News, updates from Paris, today's events and latest results

Olympics 2024 LIVE! News, updates from Paris, today's events and latest results

FULL STORY: Devastated Mateta considering knee surgery after failed AC Milan moveYour Premier League club's January window assessedThe winter transfer...

Olympics 2024: Caden Cunningham claims taekwondo silver as Britain seal historic artistic swimming medal

Olympics 2024: Caden Cunningham claims taekwondo silver as Britain seal historic artistic swimming medal

Caden Cunningham had to settle for silver after being beaten by Iran's Arian Salimi in the final of the men's +80kg category in taekwondo on the penul...

Olympics 2024: Paris schedule, latest results, today's events and start times, Team GB medal hopes

Olympics 2024: Paris schedule, latest results, today's events and start times, Team GB medal hopes

There are 13 gold medals up for grabs on Sunday at the Paris Olympics. We look at where those medals will be won and which Brits will be in action.Kee...

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...

Olympics 2024: USA women's basketball team rallies to win eighth straight gold medal

Olympics 2024: USA women's basketball team rallies to win eighth straight gold medal

USA captured their eighth consecutive Olympic title in women's basketball after edging out hosts France 67-66 in Paris on the final day of the Games.T...