David Weir says he felt 'small and belittled' by GB coach's criticism

Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir has told Sky Sports News HQ he was called a "disgrace to his country" by Great Britain Wheelchair coach, Jenni Banks, after they failed to qualify for the wheelchair relay final at the Rio Paralympics.

Weir won two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics before going on to win another four at London 2012 but he struggled at the Rio Games and failed to secure any medals.

Sky Sports News HQ have tried to contact Banks for a response to Weir's comments but are yet to receive a reply.

Weir also confirmed that he will never race for Great Britain again.

"It was just after the relay she laid into me, saying I had not put enough effort in and I am a disgrace to the country, I've let the country down, 'everyone can see what you have done, you've done it on purpose'," he told SSNHQ.

"I felt really small and belittled. I felt, with all the stuff I've done over the years, why would I do something like that, it's not in my make-up.

"I'm there to race and win medals for GB. I would never do that, that's not me. I felt it was the wrong way to talk to an athlete. It wasn't just me that heard it, it was a lot of other people as well.

"I couldn't wait for that plane ride home. I thought, 'this just isn't my week', after I crashed out of the marathon as well.

"You'll never see me in a British vest again. I will still race in marathons as an individual athlete but that's my career over for Great Britain."

British Athletics subsequently released a statement in response to Weir's comments.

"We can confirm there was a frank exchange of views between an athlete and the relay coach following the race when the GB men's wheelchair team failed to qualify for the final," it read.

"We can also confirm that we have met with David Weir to receive first hand his feedback on his experiences in Rio, and that we are working to ensure we learn from these experiences ahead of future team events.

"As previously stated, all those at British Athletics who have worked with him during his career wish him well in his retirement from international representation and his gold medal haul will forever be one of the iconic memories of London 2012."