Six-Time Paralympic Gold Medallist David Weir Retires from GB Competition After Paris Marathon

Six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir has retired from competing for Great Britain following a fifth-place finish in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games marathon.

The 45-year-old wheelchair racer first represented ParalympicsGB in 1996 at the Atlanta Games. Throughout his distinguished career, he won ten medals, including four golds at London 2012.

While retiring from international competition for Britain, Weir confirmed his intention to continue racing 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,” Weir told BBC Sport after completing the Paris marathon in one hour, 33 minutes, and 27 seconds.

Despite a challenging week in Paris, where he finished eighth in the 5,000m and did not qualify for the 1,500m final, Weir remained competitive in the marathon, finishing five minutes behind Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, who claimed gold.

Hua Jin of China secured the silver, with Japan’s Tomoki Suzuki taking the bronze.

Reflecting on his final race for Britain, Weir admitted, “My body just couldn’t cope with it today.

I was the oldest in that field but still highly competitive.” He acknowledged the age gap between himself and younger athletes like Daniel Romanchuk, who finished fourth.

Weir expressed pride in his long and successful career, saying, “I’ll look back on my GB career with pride… I’ve had a great career. I’m trying not to get emotional, but it’s time.”