Double Paralympic medallist Orla Barry has announced her retirement from Paralympic sport.
Barry, who represented Ireland at three Paralympic Games in the F57 discus, is a former world record holder in the event and retires having won nine medals at major events throughout her 13 year career as a high performance para athlete.
Barry said "I have had a wonderful career in Paralympic Sport. I achieved everything that I set out to achieve when I first started competing as a 14-year-old girl.
"I have some amazing memories that I will cherish forever and I have worked with brilliant coaches, competed alongside some incredible athletes and made some lifelong friends.
"I am entering into a new period in my life as I am building a new house, planning my wedding next year and embarking on a new career.
"I feel that now is the right time to step away from the sport while I am still at the top and knowing that I would struggle to give the commitment and single-minded focus to reach the standards that I have always set for myself and that the sport deserves
"I would like to thank my coach of 17 years, Pat Furlong, my fellow Irish Paralympic team-mates, the staff and support staff at Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland for supporting me throughout my career.
"I would especially like to thank my family who have been a huge part of my journey and without whom I would not have enjoyed the great success that I achieved."
ORLA BARRY MEDAL RECORD
2012 IPC European Championships, gold medal
2012 Paralympic Games, bronze medal
2013 IPC World Para Athletics, silver medal
2014 IPC European Championships, silver medal
2015 IPC World Para Athletics, silver medal
2016 IPC European Athletics Champs, gold medal
2016 Paralympic Games, silver medal
2018 IPC European Athletics Champs, gold medal
