New Zealand para athlete Liam Malone retires from athletics @ 24

By James K. Attaglo Wilson

Double Paralympic sprint champion Liam Bevan Malone has retired at the age 0f 24 saying he does not have “the emotional investment or necessary focus and energy to succeed at the highest level in Tokyo.”

Liam Malon represented New Zealand at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio [Brazil] where he won gold in the men’s 200m [T44], and 400m [T44] as well as silver medal min the men’s 100 metres [T44].

But the Nelson born, Malone claims he does not have the necessary focus to defend his titles in the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“Over the last month I have been reflecting on my position and I have made the difficult decision to retire my running career effective immediately,” he told Athletics New Zealand.

“External events both in and out of my control have taken a toll on my training in the last month and I don’t feel I have the emotional investment or necessary focus and energy to succeed at the highest level in Tokyo.

“Becoming an elite athlete was an incredible journey but life is short, I want to find something that I can commit to and be happy in for a long time,” he added.

“It would be unjust to commit half-heartedly to those who support me, my coach, the supporting organisations, the New Zealand public, sponsors, my friends and family.”

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