London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Jonathan Fox has announced his retirement from competitive swimming after voicing his frustrations over reclassification.

Fox, who won gold in the S7 100m backstroke at London, was one of several high-profile Paralympic swimmers to be reclassified earlier this year.

After being moved from S7 to S8, Fox saw his world ranking plummet as he found it harder and harder to be competitive in his chosen events.

“My reclassification prevented me from being able to attend the Commonwealth Games 2018 and I also missed out on qualification for the World Para Swimming European Championships in Dublin 2018,” said Fox. “Both were hard to deal with.

“In August, I was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, that’s something that I’m still coming to terms with and getting used to.

“2018 has been a bit of whirlwind for me and now feels like a suitable time to step away from the sport and focus on my health.”

Fox won his first international medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics when he claimed silver in the S7 100m backstroke. He went on to take two more silvers at Rio 2016 in the S7 400m freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Fox also claimed two World Championships in his favoured 100m backstroke at Eindhoven in 2010 and Montreal in 2013, as well as five European Championship golds between 2009 and 2016.

In 2013, he received an MBE for services to swimming at Buckingham Palace.

Fox added: “It has been such a great honour to represent Great Britain and I would like to thank British Para-Swimming, UK Sport and everyone that has been part of my sporting journey, especially my family in Cornwall, and also everyone who supported me whilst overcoming injury. You have all helped me to achieve my dream.”

Fox has plans to become a swim coach, having recently completed his Swim Teaching Level 1, so he will not be leaving the sport completely.

British Para-Swimming National Performance Director Chris Furber said: “Jonathan has made a substantial contribution to British Para-Swimming during his career and personally achieved so much, including two World titles and Paralympic Gold in London 2012.

“He has been an incredible member of our programme and has developed into a real leader within in team over the last few years. It has been a pleasure to work with him.

“I have no doubts that Jonathan will be successful at whatever he chooses to do next and we know that he will continue to be an excellent ambassador for swimming and para-sport.”

Fox is not the first British Paralympian to retire from competition due to reclassification.

Earlier this summer, 50m freestyle Rio 2016 gold medallist Matt Wylie was moved from the S9 to S10 category which forced him to call time on his career.

“Classification is an integral part of all para-sport, and whilst we will continue to work with World Para-Swimming to ensure a consistent process for all swimmers, to lose a second exceptional talent from our team in a matter of months is clearly concerning,” added Furber.

Photo courtesy of British Swimming