19.05.2009

Olympic heptathlete Kylie Wheeler announces retirement

Dual Olympic heptathlete and Commonwealth Games medallist Kylie Wheeler has today announced her retirement from athletics, closing the book on an impressive career that spanned 13 years.
 
Wheeler, 29, who represented Australia at the past two Olympic Games and also has a gold (4 x 400m relay) and two silver medals (heptathlon) from Commonwealth Games campaigns in 2002 and 2006, has decided to focus more time on work commitments and interests outside of athletics.
 
The decision comes nine months after the Beijing Games, where Wheeler set a new personal best (6369 points) in finishing tenth in the Bird’s Nest Stadium.  
 
“I thought Beijing would be the last Games for me, but I wanted to take some time to make sure that I was making the right decision,” Wheeler said.
 
“I’m happy with where I’m at and with what I’ve achieved to make that decision now and move on.
 
“I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time with my family and getting my career going, my family has been a big support and I feel it’s time to give back.”
 
Wheeler, who won six national titles and also represented Australia at the 2005 and 2007 world championships, considers the silver medal that she won at the 2002 Commonwealth Games her fondest athletics memory.
 
“My career highlight was probably the 2002 Comm Games, the result was possibly a little bit more unexpected but Melbourne was fantastic being on home soil, and Olympic Games are special as they are the Olympic Games,” Wheeler said.
 
Wheeler has been a tremendous ambassador for Athletics Australia, Athletics Western Australia and the Western Australian Institute of Sport, and her leadership was rewarded when named joint captain (with Clinton Hill) of the athletics team for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
 
“I’ve been lucky to have the support of my family and coaches as well as the support from WAIS, Athletics Australia and Athletics Western Australia throughout my career.”
 
Wheeler plans to continue her studies and will continue her role as the development officer for Athletics Western Australia.