Helen Scott announces track cycling retirement

Five-time Paralympic medallist, Helen Scott MBE, has today announced her retirement from professional cycling to take up the role of Paralympic Foundation Coach within the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Initially paired with Aileen McGlynn OBE, the pair enjoyed immediate success and won silver in their debut UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships, before taking silver in the tandem B kilo and bronze in the tandem B pursuit at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Four years later at Rio 2016 Helen was back on the podium once again, albeit with a new partner as she teamed up with Sophie Thornhill MBE to further build on her success in London.

The duo combined to set a new Paralympic record and take gold in the kilo event, while also picking up bronze in the pursuit.

And despite Thornhill’s retirement in 2020, Helen was back on track in Tokyo last summer for a third and final Paralympic Games alongside McGlynn once again where she piloted them to a silver medal in the women’s kilo B time-trial – her fifth Paralympic medal.

“There are mixed emotions as I retire as an athlete because I still love what I do, but I feel it’s the right time for me and the perfect opportunity to grasp with both hands. I feel especially lucky to be able to transition on my own terms, as I know not everyone in sport has this privilege – it’s exactly how I hoped I’d transition from competing,” said Scott.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to all of the staff and riders on the team, past and present, who have always believed in me and provided me with such incredible support throughout, and I hope that I can now repay the favour to the next generation of riders in my new role as coach.”