David Weir (athlete) - IPC Athletics World Championships 2011

IPC Athletics World Championships 2011

Weir won three gold medals at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch in the 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m.

Weir won the 800m title, and his first gold of the championships, in a photo finish with Swiss racer Marcel Hug in a championship record time of 1:37.28, knocking over a second and a half off the previous best.

Weir won his second title of the championships at 1,500m in a time of 3:10.93.

Weir won his third gold in the 5,000m in a time of 10:48.43, completing his final lap in 44.12, with Marcel Hug following him over the line in second place in a time of 10:48.70.

Weir was due to enter the games marathon but withdrew on grounds of safety because the course was open to traffic. Weir said "I just thought it was ludicrous. I didn't want to risk getting injured or getting run over." Weir also told the Telegraph "The marathon was a huge disappointment but I know I made the right decision to withdraw. Questions need to be asked of the IPC and organising committee in Christchurch, I just hope big lessons have been learned as the athletes were put in a very difficult situation, putting their safety on the line."

After the championship Weir was critical of the organisers and told the Telegraph that he was "delighted to come away from the World Championships with three gold medals” . Privately, though, his view was that the organisation was poor, and officials were inconsistent. It was a view shared by other senior athletes."