Dame Sarah Storey Announces Retirement from Paralympic

Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain's most decorated Paralympian, has announced her immediate retirement from international competition. The 48-year-old athlete, who has won 19 Paralympic gold medals across swimming and cycling, confirmed her decision on Thursday, July 9, 2026, foregoing a chance to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

Storey made her Paralympic debut as a 14-year-old swimmer at the 1992 Barcelona Games, where she won two gold medals. Over a 35-year career spanning nine Paralympics, she amassed a total of 60 major titles, including 32 world championship victories. She was also successful in able-bodied competition, winning six national track titles and competing in the UCI Track World Cup.

In a statement, Storey reflected on her career, saying she felt privileged to have lived her childhood dream for so long. She explained that her decision to retire was driven by a desire to focus on broader issues within Para sport rather than pursuing further competitive accolades. She expressed confidence in her physical ability to defend her two Paris 2024 titles in Los Angeles but stated she believes she can have a greater impact off the bike.