Athletic

Maria Lyle, 24, Retires After Five Paralympic Medals

Maria Lyle, a five-time Paralympic medallist, has announced that she is retiring from athletics at the age of 24. Competing in the T35 category for athletes with cerebral palsy, the Scottish para-athlete secured five medals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Lyle disclosed that her career had imposed a significant personal toll, with a recent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to experiences in the sport. She acknowledged her friends’ and family’s support during these challenging times and used social media to broadcast her decision to retire.

Lyle burst onto the sprinting scene at 14, clinching double gold in the T35 100m and 200m at the 2014 European Championships. In reflecting on her career, she stated that her athletic achievements don’t entirely define her identity, and declared, “I am a person with feelings and won’t be defined by the position I come in a race or the time on the clock.” She gave thanks to her coaches, training partners, friends, and family for their unwavering support during her journey. Looking forward, Lyle voiced her excitement about embarking on her new job and living a simpler, more ordinary life.

Maria Lyle could have competed for the Great Britain team at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, but she didn’t meet the initial qualifying criteria as she didn’t secure a gold or silver medal at last year’s World Championships. Even though officials will announce a second round of qualifying later this month, Lyle has decided not to make an attempt to qualify, effectively ending her illustrious athletic career.

Cataleya

Recent Posts

Bayern Munich End Losing Streak with 1-0 Win Over Benfica

Bayern Munich ended their two-match losing streak in the Champions League with a 1-0 victory…

5 hours ago

Robert Lewandowski Hits Brace as Barcelona Crush Red Star

Robert Lewandowski continued his sensational form, scoring twice as Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 victory…

5 hours ago

Arsenal’s Unbeaten Run in Europe Snapped by Inter Milan

Arsenal’s unbeaten Champions League run ended with a controversial 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at…

5 hours ago

Jimmy Anderson Eyes IPL Spot After Retirement

Jimmy Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker has put himself forward for selection in the Indian…

5 hours ago

Jim Whitley: From Footballer to TV Star in Jamie Johnson FC

Jim Whitley has enjoyed a diverse post-football career, spanning from portrait painting to musical theatre…

5 hours ago

Benjamin Mendy Triumphs in Legal Battle Over £11m Salary Claim

Benjamin Mendy won a legal battle against Manchester City over unpaid wages and secured the…

6 hours ago