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Thursday, July 17, 2008, 16:02
The Canvey Island lad, 30, has decided to quit after an injury-hampered career in which he proved himself to be one of Britain's most charismatic and resilient sportsmen of recent times.
Macey totalled 7,491 points in the Hexham Combined Events International meeting at the weekend, falling 509 points short of the qualifying total for Beijing.
This meant Macey didn't make the A or B standard for the Olympic Games and prompted his decision to call it quits.
Macey was the Commonwealth Games champion in 2006 and finished fourth at the Olympics in 2000 and 2004.
He first came to attention when he won silver at the World Championships in 1999.
He was struck by injury after that and only returned to the medals with a bronze at the World Championships in 2001.
The battling athlete said of his decision:
"My heart is there, my mind is there, but my body has finally given in.
"I've given nothing but 100 per cent over the last decade and worn my Great Britain vest with pride."
Paying tribute, UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins said he was sure Macey would have been in the medals had he been injury-free.
"Everyone at UKA is gutted for Dean that he won't be going to Beijing. He is a warrior," he said. "He has been an outstanding professional throughout his career and his drive and determination to succeed should serve as an example to every aspiring Olympian."
Since his 2006 Commonwealth gold, Macey has undergone three elbow operations and a slipped disc – and it seems that even for someone as gutsy as this Canvey boy, a comeback for Beijing was too big an ask.
“I can carry on but not to the level I want to be at,” Macey said after making his decision.
“I didn't think quitting would be as painful as it has been.
“It's going to take a few weeks and months before I get used to it.
“My only regret is that I didn't have a shot at the title more often,” he added.
“Athletics is everything I've ever known.”
Rochford-born Macey is now likely to spend his enforced spare time pursuing his other great passion – fishing.
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BOWING OUT: Dean Macey at the Athens Olympics, 2004.
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