Dame Sarah Storey announced her retirement from professional sport on Thursday, 34 years after her first Paralympic gold medal.
The 48-year-old is the most successful British Paralympian of all time, with 19 gold medals, 14 of which came in cycling, plus a further 39 titles at the UCI Para Track and Road World Championships.
Before turning to cycling, which began in the mid-2000s, Storey was a champion swimmer, with five Paralympic gold medals and six world titles in the pool. She first competed at the 1992 games in Barcelona, going on to represent GB in Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris.
“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,” Storey said in a press release.
“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.”
Ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Storey is keen to use her position to push Para sport forward, saying that it is at a “critical stage”.
“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 explained.
“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.”
Storey has also won titles at the British National Track Championships and UCI Track Cycling World Cups, competing alongside able-bodied athletes. She was also nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year twice, in 2012 and 2024, and is Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, as well as being Chair of Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Her last world titles came at the UCI Road World Championships in Zürich in 2024, after she had won the C5 time trial and C4-5 road race at the Paris Paralympics.
“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.”
Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of the IAAF, who was in charge of the organising committee for the London 2012 games said: “Para sport was an enormously significant part of London 2012, and I remain extremely proud of what we were able to deliver.
“However, the issues that Dame Sarah raises upon her retirement resonate with me hugely – sport must continue to take those small but steady steps forward to ensure that what has gone before is not wasted.”
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