Triple Olympian and double Commonwealth Games medalist. Lee McConnell, today announces her official retirement from athletics.
Lee McConnell’s decision to hang up her spikes ends one of the most glittering careers in the history of athletics in Scotland.
The Glaswegian appeared at the Olympics on three occasions and represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Melbourne and Delhi – claiming a clutch of global medals along the way.
In a press release issued by her management, McConnell said that “over the past few months my life has changed in an amazing way, I am now a mum. When I fell pregnant with Ethan I made the decision to continue with training through and post pregnancy and see where that took me. I have now reached the decision that my career as a professional athlete has come to an end.
“I was always a working athlete and will continue as a working mum, focusing on the media and other work that has always sat as part of my double career track alongside athletics.
“Those supporting stars throughout my career know who they are and I look forward to personally thanking each and every one of you over the coming weeks. For just now, please know that I appreciate you more than I can say.”
Rodger Harkins, McConnell’s lead coach, said, “the last 12 months working with Lee have been as rewarding as ever, her appetite to continue learning and developing right through to the end of her career has been infectious and myself and her physio have been inspired to stretch ourselves as well. Looking back, Lee’s career has been a long and hugely impressive one.
“She has competed not only for Scotland, but for Great Britain and Europe. She is a triple Olympian. She qualified for every major championships in the eleven years she competed and has Commonwealth, European and World medals to her name. More than that she will be remembered for her attitude- she is a knowledgeable and intelligent person who has been an inspiration to young athletes, fans, peers, coaches, support staff and most of all, me!”
McConnell’s retirement means that she will now miss her home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year, but she remains excited about the future.
“2014 is obviously a huge year for Scotland and this was not an easy decision to make as it means not competing in a home Commonwealth Games. Now is my time however. I am excited for the new opportunities and challenges that retiring from athletics will bring me and look forward to getting involved with a home games – just not as a competing athlete!”
As Lee now looks to the future, scottishathletics Director of Coaching Stephen Maguire reflects on her absence from Glasgow 2014 and the example she has set over the past 15 years.‚Ä®‚Ä®”This is very unfortunate for us from a sporting point of view because Lee has been a great Scottish athlete for a number of years and the Commonwealth Games in her home city of Glasgow would have been the perfect way to close her career.
“Her vast experience would have been invaluable to Team Scotland’s track and field team and I’m very disappointed we won’t benefit from that.
“But I firmly support Lee in her decision. From a personal point of view, her own welfare and her family must come first.
“I know it is an issue she has weighed up very carefully and talked through a lot with her husband Craig and her long-standing coach, Rodger Harkins. She has given it a lot of deliberation.
“Lee leaves the sport with some marvelous memories and a number of global medals.
“You would have to ask her the individual highlights but I think from my own perspective it is worth noting and acknowledging the sheer dedication to remain at the elite end of the sport for a long period of time. She first went to the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 of course and medalled there.
“The mental strength, and commitment to training, required to keep on making selections is significant and she has set a wonderful example in that regard to the next generation of Scottish athletes.
“Rodger has been with her every step of the way and learned as a coach during that journey. Again, that’s a wonderful example for Scottish coaches about raising the bar.
“What we can say, also, is that when a door closes like this in sport then another one opens and effectively there is now another 4 x 400m relay place on offer which some of our younger athletes can chase.
“That should intensify the competition at that distance; but that issue is one for another day.
“As Lee looks to the future, I have no doubts whatsoever that she will be involved in athletics in some capacity in due course. She has so much she can contribute.‚Ä®”Everyone within athletics in Scotland as a community and within scottishathletics as a governing body will wish her all the very best for the future.”
