Macey calls it quits

Britain's Commonwealth champion decathlete Dean Macey has retired from athletics after years of struggling against injuries.

Britain's Commonwealth champion decathlete Dean Macey has retired from athletics after years of struggling against injuries. The 30-year-old took the Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne in 2006 but injuries have blighted a career that promised so much. The likeable Canvey Island battler looking like he could have followed Daley Thompson in scooping Olympic gold in the gruelling ten-event contest, and many believe he would have done so if he had a decent run of full fitness. Twice finishing an agonising fourth in the Olympics, Macey also won a silver medal at the 1999 World Championships and the bronze two years later. Macey had been back competing at Hexham at the weekend as he tried to attain the Olympic qualifying standard, and after the first day and first five events he was well over halfway to reaching the 8,000-point mark. However, Macey picked up a thigh injury on the second day in Hexham and after failing to even reach the Olympic B standard he has now decided to call it a day.

Mind and Body

"My heart is there, my mind is there, but my body has finally given in," said Macey. "I've given nothing but 100 per cent over the last decade and worn my Great Britain vest with pride." UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins expressed his sadness at the news - and was confident Macey would have been in the medals had he been injury-free. "Everyone at UKA is gutted for Dean that he won't be going to Beijing. He is a warrior," said Collins. "He has been an outstanding professional throughout his career and his drive and determination to succeed should serve as an example to every aspiring Olympian." Despite taking the national title, Macey's failure to qualify for Beijing has been the final straw.