Paralympic Games: 'You have to be honest with yourself' says McKillop on future plans
- Published
Michael McKillop was embraced by his competitors after his run of Paralympic medals came to an end
Northern Ireland's Michael McKillop says he is unsure if he will retire from athletics but confirmed his Paralympic career has come to an end.
Four-time gold medallist McKillop, 31, finished eighth in the T38 1500m final in the Paralympics on Saturday.
He was visibly emotional as he crossed the line 29 seconds behind winner Nate Riech, of Canada.
"When you are not up to the standard, you have to be honest with yourself," said McKillop on his future.
Speaking to RTE after his race, he added he "wouldn't say for definite" if he would call time on his career, but confirmed it would be his last Paralympic Games.
"I know there is a time and a place, and you have to respect the sport you are in. I left my spikes out on the track and walked away," added McKillop.
"It's my dad's last year, he is retiring so I don't have a coach, so maybe it is the right way to go.
"My wife has given up so much time and effort for me, and sacrificed so much for me. I think it is now time I give back to my wife.
"I want to hold my head up high knowing I have given my all to the sport - and given strength and honour to every single Irish person, every Northern Irish person.
"It is a very special thing, and I have had the privilege to do it for 16 years. I'll never forget my time in Paralympic sport if it is to be the end."
McKillop struggles in wet conditions
If McKillop is to retire it would bring a remarkable career to an end. He triumphed in the T37 800m in Beijing and completed an 800m and 1500m double in London four years later before a fourth success in Rio.
McKillop, who has spoken in the past about his struggles with mental health, saw his 13-year unbeaten record in Para-competition come to an end at the 2019 World Championships.
That followed all middle-distance events being removed from his T37 category as the Glengormley hero, who was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy, had to move to T38.
He still won silver at the Para-Athletics European Championships in June. However, on Saturday he was well adrift of winner Riech, who set a Paralympic record of 3:58.92, and the chasing pack.
McKillop was embraced by his competitors following his final Paralympic race
After his Paralympic dreams came to an end, McKillop was embraced by his competitors on the track. France's Louis Radius held the former champion's arm aloft in a sign of respect of his achievements.
McKillop said: "I just didn't have anything in my legs, and I don't know why. It's devastating. When you come to a Paralympic Games it's the pinnacle of everyone's career, so to falter like I did is upsetting
"It was going to be my last Paralympic Games anyway, but to go out like that is heartbreaking.
"You have to put injuries and stuff to the side. If you step on the track you are fully fit and there are no excuses. I was in the best shape I have been in for a very long time.
"I went through the first lap feeling nice and controlled, but when they made the move to catch up with Nate and the other guys, my legs just didn't have it."
'This year wasn't to be'
McKillop added he was pleased to see Riech set a new Paralympic mark and said the Canadian's success would push the sport forward.
"I started my journey in 2005 and I won my first world title in 2006 - and I'm still going," he said.
"It's 16 long years of having to peak every single year but, sadly, this year wasn't to be.
"I've been so successful and enjoyed my journey. Probably the hardest thing is to lose my unbeaten streak in T37.
"I felt like I could win a medal today but when it doesn't go your way you just have to congratulate everyone ahead of you."
Michael McKillop's mother Catherine was given the honour of presenting him with his T37 1500m gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympics
Analysis
BBC Sport Northern Ireland's John Haughey
This was not the way Michael McKillop would have wanted to finish his Paralympic odyssey but the Glengormley man owes his country nothing after the most glittering of careers.
Like all outstanding performers, McKillop's greatness may only properly register now that he has departed the Paralympics stage.
After being edged out in the 1500m at his first World Championships in the Netherlands in 2006, McKillop regrouped to win the 800m title a couple of days later.
It began an unbeaten record in Paralympic competition which only ended in 2019 when his injury-ravaged body had to settle for fourth in the metric mile at the World Championships in Dubai.
It's easy to forget that McKillop was an athlete good enough to win the Irish Under-20 Cross Country title in 2009 as he overcame the best young able-bodied distance runners to earn the honour of leading his country's team at that year's European Cross Country Championships in Dublin.
After his glorious double success at London 2012, McKillop and Kenyan Para-athlete Mary Nakhumicha Zakayo were the two recipients of special awards from the International Paralympic Committee for "best exemplifying the spirit of the Games".
The remainder of his career was affected by injury, although he battled to win a fourth Paralympics gold in Rio after the opportunity of doubling up had been taken away by the removal of the 800m from the programme.
After securing an 800m and 1500m double at the 2017 World Championships in London, a career-threatening groin injury saw McKillop having to entirely sit out the 2018 campaign.
By that stage, McKillop's enforced change of category was already making his task considerably more difficult.
But being the warrior he is, he was back on the line at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai as his 13-year unbeaten record came to an end before he bravely battled on to Tokyo.
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