Dame Sarah Storey retires as Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian
Dame Sarah Storey has announced her retirement from competitive sport, ending a career which saw her become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian.
Storey, 48, won a British record 19 Paralympic gold medals across swimming and cycling, but has opted to step away from competition two years ahead of what could have been her 10th Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I am so privileged to have spent 35 years as an international athlete,” Storey said. “I genuinely pinch myself that my childhood dream of being an athlete for as long as I possibly could has led to nine Paralympic Games and opportunities across so many sporting events.
“This has included women’s and Para sport alike, and I feel so proud to have contributed – alongside so many incredible people – to the progress we’ve all witnessed and enjoyed in that time.”
Storey made her Paralympic debut as a swimmer at the Barcelona Games in 1992, taking time off school to compete at the age of just 14. She won two gold medals there and three more in Atlanta four years later.
She won four silver medals and a bronze across the Sydney and Athens Games before switching to cycling ahead of Beijing 2008.
She went on to win another 14 Paralympic gold medals – nine in road cycling and another five in the velodrome. Four of her titles came in front of home crowds in London, and she retires as a reigning Paralympic champion after a double success in Paris two years ago.
“Physically, I fully believe that I could be on that start line in Los Angeles, confident of defending my two titles from Paris,” Storey added.
“However, I believe I can now be a more positive influence leveraging new roles and opportunities that allow me to fight for Para sport, and the coverage that it deserves.”
Her announcement comes ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the Para sport schedule has been integrated into the competition schedule.
However, Storey feels more needs to be done to keep developing Para sport.
“There’s also no doubt in my mind that, within Para sport, we have stalled somewhat since London 2012, and the years between each Games haven’t been utilised well enough to create the momentum that I and others hoped to see,” she added.
“I see this as a critical stage; there are many areas of Para sport that still need attention, and that is something that has played a big part in my decision.
“I fully believe that I can have a greater impact off my bike, rather than chasing a 10th Games and possibly further titles.
“I’m excited to be part of a future where we inject the momentum that is needed to ensure the future is bright for all Para athletes.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub