LAURA WEIGHTMAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM THE SPORT

Two-time Olympian Laura Weightman announced her retirement from the sport earlier this week.

Weightman – one of the most consistent performers at major Championships for GB & NI over the last few years – reached two Olympic 1500m finals in London and Rio, ultimately finishing seventh in the former and 11^th in the latter.

The Morpeth athlete won two European Championships bronze medals (2014 & 2018) during her career, and also won Commonwealth Games silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018.

At the World Athletics Championships, her best result came on home soil in 2017 when she finished sixth in the women’s 1500m in London. There was also a seventh place in 2019 and two further appearances in 2013 and 2015.

A four-time British champion in the 1500m, Weightman excelled over the distance, attaining a personal best of 4:00.09 in 2020. In the same year, she set the third fastest time ever by a British woman in the 5000m, clocking 14:35.44 at the Monaco Diamond League. Only Eilish McColgan and Paula Radcliffe have gone quicker in UK history.

Her 3000m time from 2019 – 8:26.07 – still stands as the second in the UK all-time rankings, while her mile time of 4:17.60 is fourth UK all-time.

Sadly, injury has forced Weightman to retire from the sport. Here are Weightman’s reflections on retirement from her social media channels.

“A day that has come far sooner than anticipated, but I must sadly announce my retirement as a professional athlete.

“I’ve had a very challenging few years dealing with a number of injuries, surgery and extensive rehab.

“Throughout this period, I always believed I could return and compete again at the highest level, but my body is saying no.

“In order to protect my long-term health, I’ve made this very difficult decision. I’m heartbroken I won’t get to race just one last time.

“However, I hope that one day my body will allow me to run for fun. It needs time, as much as I do mentally, to heal from such a difficult period.

“I will always look back and be proud of the career I have had. I can’t even imagine telling the 13-year-old ‘me’ what journey she was about to embark on!

“Sport really is so much more than the medals and PB’s. It’s the people and places it’s taken me that I’ll never forget.

“I will be forever grateful to those around me who have made this journey possible. Too many to name, but they know who they are.

“This won’t be the end of my involvement in the sport I love so much. I hope to continue coaching and supporting the next generation!”