PARIS, SEPT 8: An emotional David Weir said on Sunday he had "put his heart and soul" into his Paralympic career but now was the time for the British multiple champion to bring down the curtain on this chapter of his life.
That new chapter, says the man nicknamed 'Weirwolf, and termed "simply inspiring" by none other than Usain Bolt, will be a mix of competing in city marathons and a new role as a disc jockey.
The 45-year-old a six-time Paralympic gold medallist announced his decision after finishing fifth in the men's wheelchair marathon won by his great Swiss rival Marcel Hug.
Weir was speaking with Les Invalides where French emperor Napoleon is buried as the backdrop, a suitably majestic stage for Weir to do so given the service he had given para athletics over three decades.
The man who was born with a spinal cord transection that left him unable to use his legs is proud of the longevity of his Paralympic career.
"It's my last event for Great Britain," said Weir, who has also won the London marathon eight times.
"I feel proud and I am very emotional. To span that career since 1996 and before that, I nearly got selected for Barcelona as a 14-year-old.
"I've been at the top of my game for a long time."
Weir said although his teacher wife Victoria had tried to persuade him otherwise, his mind had been made. "I just feel it's the right thing for me," he said.
Weir, who had Victoria and his eldest daughter Ronie as well as friends watching his final hurrah, said one of his downs had been his "worst Games" in Rio in 2016, but London and Athens were memorable. —AFP
