Danny Crates quits

By Paul Carter

Former Paralympic gold medallist Danny Crates has announced he is to retire from athletics.

Crates, who was Great Britain’s flag bearer at the 2008 Games before a calf injury ruled him out of competing, will run in one final race at Crystal Palace on 25 July.

The 36-year-old had struggled with injuries in the past 18 months, and saw his comeback on the world stage at May’s Paralympic World Cup end in disappointment as the recurrence of a hamstring injury forced him to pull out of the T46 800m with just 200m left to run.

He said: “The last two years have been tough for me. I had the massive high of carrying the flag in Beijing, followed closely by the massive low of not being able to compete. In the lead up to the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, I had a hamstring injury and I probably made a comeback to racing a week too early.

“It was very disappointing and was the first time I’ve not finished a race in ten years.

“The mind is willing, but I’m not sure that the body is anymore. I am going through a stage that every sportsperson has to face up to at some point. London 2012 would be a long shot for a 39-year-old athlete and there isn’t another international championship open to me for another 18 months.”

Crates added that he has always been “hugely honoured” to compete for Great Britain.

“It means the world to me, I have had 11 years as an international athlete and it is not going to be easy to walk away.”

On his final race, he said: “Ever since I began to think about retirement, I have always wanted to do it at Crystal Palace. As an athlete you get to travel and compete all over the world, but the true excitement comes in front of a home crowd. I know it will be very emotional with my family and friends present, but I cannot think of a better way of saying thank you to all those who have supported me over the years.”