Paralympic Great Retires

Paralympics’ most successful athlete of all time Dame Sarah Storey has announced her retirement from competitive sport.

During her glittering career she competed at an incredible nine Paralympics Games winning a total of 30 medals, including 19 golds.

Sarah was just 14 years old when she began her Paralympic career as a swimmer, competing at four games: Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, picking up a combined total of five gold, eight silver and three bronze medals.

Following Athens, Sarah decided to make the switch to Para-cycling and achieved incredible success as she became a dominant rider on the track and road including winning four gold medals in front of an enthralled home crowd at London 2012.

Each of her last eight titles have been won as a mother, after the birth of daughter Louisa in 2013 and son Charlie in 2017.

“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,” said Sarah.

“I am so privileged to have spent 35 years as an international athlete. 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.”

Sarah made the decision to call time upon her competitive career as she wants to utilise her experience to ensure that the momentum created for Para sport by London 2012 is fully realized.

“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,” said Sarah.

“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 tenth 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.”

To find out more about Sarah's glittering career visit https://paralympics.org.uk/