Photo: British Swimming

Paralympic champion Matt Wylie has announced his retirement from competitive swimming just two years after winning gold in Rio.

Wylie says his passion for the sport has been ‘drained’ following an International Paralympic Committee decision to reclassify him earlier this year.

The 21-year-old won a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in the S9 50m freestyle, and had been targeting further medals at Tokyo 2020.

But an IPC classification review in March saw Wylie moved to the S10 category – a decision which has left the City of Sunderland swimmer devastated.

“The decision to retire has been something I have thought long and hard about over the last few weeks,” said Wylie, who has cerebral palsy.

“A recent reclassification has seen me move from an event where I have podium aspirations to one where I am unlikely to make a top eight.

“The process of going through a change in classification has drained me of my passion for the sport that I held so close to me.

“I feel I cannot compete to the high standard I put upon myself. I understand the importance of robust classification but in this instance it has gone against me.

“This is something I have discussed at length with my coach, Danny Thompson, who has supported me through this process.”

Wylie set his first British record at the age of 15 in 2012, but made his international mark when he won S9 50m freestyle gold for Great Britain in the 2016 European Championships. Later that summer, he became a Paralympic champion in what he describes as a dream come true and the greatest achievement of his life.

Wylie added: “Swimming has provided me with hundreds of opportunities that I will be eternally grateful for.

“British Para Swimming and UK Sport have provided me with much needed support and guidance, helping me achieve my dream of representing my country at a Paralympic Games in Rio 2016. Representing my country at such a prestigious event will be a memory I keep close to my heart forever.

“Becoming a Paralympic Champion is something I had dreamed about since I was 11 years old, watching the Paralympics in Beijing at home. For me, achieving this goal has been the greatest achievement in my life to date.”

Wylie has proven himself over short and long distances. He currently holds three British S9 records in 50m freestyle (25.69), 800m freestyle (9:25.77) and 1500m freestyle (18:40.23).

Chris Furber, National Performance Director for British Para-Swimming, paid tribute to a swimmer with an incredible drive to succeed.

“Matt has made an enormous contribution to para-swimming,” said Furber. “He is one of the most professional and dedicated athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.

“Classification is a key part of all para-sport, and whilst we respect and support Matt’s decision, he will certainly be missed by the athletes, coaches and staff on the team.

“With his drive to succeed I have no doubts he will have a fantastic career away from swimming, just as he did in the pool. And we hope he will continue to be part of British Para-Swimming in some capacity in the future.”