​London (AP) — Paralympics legend Sarah Storey has announced her retirement from competitive racing at age 48, opting not to push for a 10th Olympic Games appearance in Los Angeles in 2028. The 19-time Paralympic gold medalist began her illustrious career by earning Britain’s first titles in swimming at Barcelona in 1992 and later completed an unprecedented four consecutive sweeps of cycling’s road race and time trial at Paris in 2024.
In an interview with the BBC, Storey expressed a desire to devote herself to enhancing the quality and visibility of para-sport. “The years between each Games haven’t been utilized well enough to create the momentum that I and others hoped to see,” she said. “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.”
Storey competed in swimming at every Paralympics from Barcelona through Athens in 2004, amassing 16 medals, including five golds. She transitioned to cycling after a bout of an ear infection sidelined her swimming for months. In cycling, she dominated as the leading woman, collecting 14 gold medals from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics through Paris.
Storey was born with a disabled left hand, the result of her arm becoming entangled with the umbilical cord in the womb.