Six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir has announced his retirement from Great competition after finishing fifth in the marathon at the Paris Games.
Weir first competed for ParalympicsGB in 1996 aged 17 at the Atlanta Games and has gone on to win ten medals, including four golds at London 2012, during his storied career.
While the 45-year-old said he will no longer compete for Britain, he still intends to race in major international marathons such as London and Berlin.
‘I’m quite emotional as I know it’s my last race for GB, this will be my last international,’ he told BBC Sport after crossing the line in a time of one hour, 33 minutes and 27 seconds.
‘I’ll still do the major marathons as I really enjoy them and I’ve got Berlin in two weeks.
‘I knew before I came to Paris and I’ve been thinking about it all week. It’s the decision I want to do. It’s the right decision.’
Weir finished eighth in the 5,000m earlier in the Games but failed to qualify for the 1,500m final. He finished five minutes behind gold medallist Marcel Hug of Switzerland in the marathon on the final day of action in Paris.
Hua Jin of China took silver, while Japan’s Tomoki Suzuki claimed the bronze.
‘My body just couldn’t cope with it today to be honest,’ Weir added.
‘I was the oldest in that field today but still highly competitive. Daniel [Romanchuk, who finished fourth] is 20 years younger than me – I could be his dad – so I’m doing alright. I gave it my all today and that’s all I can give.
‘I’ll look back on my GB career with pride. I don’t really pat myself on the back. I should really. I should be proud of what I’ve done.
‘I’ve had a great career. I’m trying not to get emotional but it’s time. I think it’s time.’
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