Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain's most successful Paralympian, has announced her retirement from international competition at the age of 48. Her decision comes ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, which would have marked her tenth appearance at the sporting showpiece. Storey's illustrious career spans 35 years, during which she amassed an extraordinary 19 Paralympic gold medals across both swimming and cycling disciplines.
Her remarkable journey began at the Barcelona Games in 1992, with her most recent triumphs coming at Paris 2024, where she secured two golds in the C4-C5 road race and the C5 road time trial. Four of her gold medals were famously won on home soil during the London 2012 Games, a period she acknowledged as a high point for para-sport in the UK.
In a statement, Storey expressed profound pride in her career, stating, "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."
However, a significant factor in her retirement decision, despite feeling physically capable of competing, is her concern over the perceived "stalling" of para-sport since London 2012. Storey believes the momentum gained from the home Games has not been adequately maintained between subsequent events. She feels she can now contribute more effectively to the sport's future by focusing on advocacy and development off the bike, rather than pursuing further medal success.
"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," Storey explained. "I fully believe that I can have a greater impact off my bike, rather than chasing a tenth Games and possibly further titles." Her sentiments were echoed by Sebastian Coe, who played a pivotal role in the London 2012 planning, acknowledging that the issues raised by Storey "resonate hugely" with him and calling for continued progress in para-sport.