WAIS Heptathlete Great Kylie Wheeler Announces Retirement

Published On: 19 May 2009

End of an era: Wheeler will pursue new challenges

Dual Olympic heptathlete and Commonwealth Games medallist Kylie Wheeler has today announced that she will retire from athletics to pursue new challenges.

Wheeler, who has represented Australia at the past two Olympic Games and also has a gold (4 x 400m relay) and two silver medals (heptathlon) from Commonwealth Games campaigns in 2002 and 2006, has decided to focus more time on work commitments and interests outside of athletics.

The decision comes nine months after the Beijing Games, where Wheeler set a new personal best (6369 points) in finishing tenth in China’s Bird’s Nest stadium. She has also married and continued her work as a development officer for Athletics Western Australia in this time.

“I thought Beijing would be the last Games for me, but I wanted to take some time to make sure that I was making the right decision,” Wheeler said. “I’m happy with where I’m at and with what I’ve achieved to make that decision now and move on.”

“I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time with my family and getting my career going, my family has been a big support and I feel it’s time to give back.”

Wheeler considers the silver medal that she won at the 2002 Commonwealth Games as one of her fondest athletic memories.

“My career highlight was probably the 2002 Comm Games, the result was possibly a little bit more unexpected, but Melbourne was fantastic, being on home soil and Olympic Games are special, as they are Olympic Games,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler throughout a glittering 13 year career has been a tremendous ambassador for Athletics Australia, Athletics Western Australia and the Western Australian Institute of Sport, and her leadership was rewarded when named joint captain (with Clinton Hill) of the athletics team for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

“I’ve been lucky to have the support of my family and coaches as well as the support from WAIS, Athletics Australia and Athletics Western Australia throughout my career,” said the six time national champion.

Wheeler plans to continue her studies and her position with Athletics Western Australia.