Canada’s 400m record holder retires

Edmonton’s Tyler Christopher, Canadian record holder in the 400m, officially announced his retirement from the sport on Friday.

According to Athletics Canada, the track star steps away from competition after a very successful career highlighted by a World Indoor title in 2008 and a bronze medal at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships.

“Tyler had many great races and was among the top 6 in the world from 2005 to 2008 challenging the best in the world in every outing,” says Alex Gardiner, Athletics Canada’s Olympic Program Head Coach. “On every national team he was a part of, Tyler’s exuberant confidence spilled over to his teammates. For six hard years he trained and competed all over the world in an event considered by most as the ultimate test in pain threshold. We’re going to miss his style, his bravado and the flash of his smile as he crossed the finish line.”

Christopher retires as the Canadian record holder in the indoor and outdoor 400m, the indoor 300-metres and as a member of the 4x200m relay team. In 2005, he was recognized as Athletics Canada’s recipient of both the Jack Davies trophy as the outstanding overall athlete and the Phil Edwards trophy as the top athlete in track events. Christopher is a four-time Canadian Champion (2008/ 2007/ 2006/ 2004), an Olympian (2008), a World Indoor Champion (2008), a World Championship bronze medalist and Pan American Games silver medalist.