Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir retires from Team GB as the 45-year-old admits ‘it’s an age thing’ – but still plans to compete internationally

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.

He joined Team GB’s squad in Paris for his seventh and ultimately final Games and has now announced his plans to end his Paralympics journey.

Weir leaves the grandest stage as a six-time Paralympian champion and despite no longer intending to be in Team GB’s set-up, will still compete in major international marathons, most notably London.

The 45-year-old cut an emotional figure as he crossed the lines in the T54 marathon on Sunday and went on to explain his decision to exit the Paralympics for good – leaving as one of Team GB’s all-time greats.

The 45-year-old won six Paralympic gold medals during his time competing on the grandest stage

Announcing his intentions, Weir said: ‘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.

Weir made the trip to Paris with Team GB’s squad for his seventh Paralympic Games

‘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.’

Weir previously made his debut in the Paralympics as a teenager 28-years-ago in Atlanta and was immediately tipped for a bright future in competition.

Many thought we had seen him for the final time at the Rio Games in 2016, only for Weir to star at the Tokyo Games and make the trip to Paris this summer. 

Meanwhile, British athlete Eden Rainbow-Cooper did not finish the women’s T54 marathon.