Aileen Reid Retires From International Competition

Reid Retires

Aileen Reid has announced her retirement from international competition, bringing to a close the most successful international career in Irish triathlon.

Reid, who is currently based in Australia, has been managing injury since before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and has taken the decision to draw the curtain on her glittering career.

The 35 year old has represented Ireland 75 times at international level, including two Olympic Games and one Commonwealth Games.

She was ranked inside the top ten triathletes in the world for three consecutive years and remains the only Irish athlete to podium at a World Series ITU event.

Reid: Light Fading

In an Instagram post, Reid said she wanted to “end on a high, a positive” and “stand on that podium one more time”

But she said the light at the end of the tunnel was fading and with it her belief that she would be able to overcome her injury and be the athlete she once was.

“I don’t want to be half-good at anything, and so its time to wave the white flag. I’ve been through the stages of grieving. It’s a scary time leaving something behind, someone I was, something that I did that will probably define me forever. To leave people, memories, support, and sponsors. The friends I have made along the way. But now, I’ve accepted it. The real world and its exciting prospects beckons.”

Still Involved

Despite her retirement from competition, Reid has pledged to stay involved in the sport: 

“The future of Triathlon in Ireland is bright and I hope to support developing athletes where I can. My old swim squad is producing endless talent and I’ve been helping out with junior swimmers, athletes and triathletes on the Gold Coast, so I hope to help coach and mentor future stars myself. If my years of experience making all the mistakes I did can be of benefit to someone!!!”

Waving the white flag 🏳 . Illness and injury are inevitable in a sports persons career and I am a fighter. But this fight got me. I wanted to end on a high, a positive, I wanted to stand on that podium one more time and it was my dream to hear ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’ with the Tricolour (or Northern Ireland flag for that matter) flying in front of me. From time to time I remind myself that I was good once and not to give up. But the light is fading at the end of the tunnel and my belief that I would be able to overcome this injury and be the athlete I once was, is disappearing. I don’t want to be half-good at anything, and so its time to wave the white flag. I’ve been through the stages of grieving. It’s a scary time leaving something behind, someone I was, something that I did that will probably define me forever. To leave people, memories, support, and sponsors. The friends I have made along the way. But now, I’ve accepted it. The real world and its exciting prospects beckons. The future of Triathlon in Ireland is bright and I hope to support developing athletes where I can. My old swim squad is producing endless talent and I’ve been helping out with junior swimmers, athletes and triathletes on the Gold Coast, so I hope to help coach and mentor future stars myself. If my years of experience making all the mistakes I did can be of benefit to someone!!! . So there it is, 75 caps for Ireland. 2 Olympic Games. Commonwealth Games. 3 years ranked in world top 10. And a handful of medals at World series. Thank you to all of my supporters. It takes an Army. Sport Ireland, Sport NI, SINI, Deda the best bike sponsor. Asics. Triathlon Ireland. Chris my first coach, Tommy & Daz. Clubs; Lisburn SC, Marylanders, City of Derry, Poissy, Cesson, D-squad. Physios; Deirdre, Chris Marty, Phil. SINI/SI; Lisa, Michael, Declan, Ricky, Alan, Lorna, Martina. My Family xx. Pals, and the too many to mention here. Thanks for the memories Aileen Xx

A post shared by aileenmorr (@aileenmorr) on Jul 25, 2017 at 2:05am PDT