Archibald retires from cycling after falling 'in love' with nursing

Image source, Getty Images

• Published1 hour ago

Three-time Olympic medallist Katie Archibald has retired from cycling - despite being previously chosen for Scotland's 2026 Commonwealth Games team - having "fallen in love" with her new career as a nurse.

The 32-year-old leaves the Great Britain Cycling Team as a current world and European champion, as well as being part of the women's team pursuit squad who hold the world record.

In December, Archibald, Lauren Bell and Mark Stewart were the first three members of the Team Scotland cycling squad to be named for their home games in Glasgow this summer.

But she told British Cycling: "The draw of the 'real world' has been pulling me for a while.

"I've been too scared to leave the world I know and love and, ultimately, to let go of something I'm good at. But now is the right time simply because I'm not scared anymore.

"I can't claim to know why that is, but for some reason I only have a craving to live the life I've been saving for a rainy day, and no fear that I'll miss the sunshine. It's simply time."

On Instagram, she added: "I was desperate to make it to that start line, but my mind and body are saying no. It's time for the next generation to shine."

Archibald also paid tribute to the coaches, team-mates and family who have supported her through her career, including her partner Rab Wardell, who died in 2022 aged 37 after a cardiac arrest.

"Thank you to my mum, who supports me no matter the choices I make," she said.

"Thank you to my friends, who have listened to my nonsense deliberations on this with patience.

"And thank you to Rab, who taught me that very few things in life are more important than chilling out and having fun. I'm getting better at both every day."

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Archibald exits as one of Britain's most decorated track cyclists and arguably Scotland's most decorated female athlete.

A relative latecomer to the sport, Archibald did not join Britain's endurance squad until the age of 19 but won the European team pursuit title in her senior competitive debut.

Over the next 13 years, Archibald amassed 51 medals at world, European, Commonwealth and Olympic level - including two Olympic titles and a silver medal, Commonwealth gold, seven world titles and a world-leading 21 European titles.

"I feel dizzy when I look at everything cycling's given me, and I can't imagine a future where I don't see myself as a 'cyclist'," Archibald added on Instagram.

"Luckily though, I've also gotten to be a daughter and a sister on the bike, for how it brings my family together. I've gotten to be a dreamer, for the goals it's let me chase.

"I've even gotten to be a protagonist in a few bike races, (perhaps an antagonist in a few others)."

It might have been more had she not had to withdraw from the Birmingham Games in 2022 and the Olympics two years later shortly before the events.

"I love racing my bike," Archibald said. "And it's been a true honour to race my bike alongside the best in the country.

"I'm not hoping for a grand legacy, but I hope I've made an impact on the individuals I've worked with."

Currently training to be a nurse, Archibald has "fallen completely in love with the whole thing", particularly because "it feels so special being someone people can trust when they need help".

Great Britain Cycling Team performance director Stephen Park pointed out her "incredible legacy" as he paid tribute.

"Katie has described herself as 'obsessed' with the sport and her relentless drive in the pursuit of excellence combined with a deep passion for track cycling has led her to be one of Britain's most decorated track cyclists," he said.

"Katie has given cycling audiences some of the best moments of the sport's history and we are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved both on and off the bike."

Related topics

• Commonwealth Games
• Cycling