Thomas Barr calls time on decorated track career

Three-time Olympian and European medallist Thomas Barr has announced his retirement from competitive athletics.

The Waterford native, regarded as one of the finest sprinters Ireland has ever produced, won a historic 400m hurdles bronze medal at the 2018 European Athletics Championships, becoming the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.

In 2016, Barr produced a remarkable performance in the 400m hurdles Olympic final, finishing fourth in a blistering 47.97 seconds, setting a new Irish record that still stands today.

He was also the University World Champion in 2015 and holds multiple Irish records in the 400m hurdles, including senior, Under-23, and Under-20 categories. Over his career, he won 12 national titles in the 400m hurdles.

In 2024, his final year competing as an international athlete, he enjoyed groundbreaking success as part of the mixed 4x400m relay team who became European champions in Rome and secured a bronze medal at the World Relay Championships.

Barr said: "I am grateful to all the people who have been part of my journey, especially my parents, for their support and my coaches, Drew and Hayley, who were central to my athletics performances. I have loved the sport from the day I joined Ferrybank AC as a young boy.

"I have cherished every moment, from winning national championships to breaking Irish records and representing my country on the European and World stage. I will never forget finishing fourth in the Rio Olympic Games and winning bronze at the European Championships in the 400m hurdles.

"My final year gave me some magical moments; being on the mixed relay team that won a World medal and secured victory at the European Championships was