David Weir has vowed never to compete for Team GB again following the latest row ©Getty Images

Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir branded British Athletics a "joke" as vowed never to represent them again after learning they had failed to uphold a complaint he made against a top coach.

Weir alleged that his £3,000 ($3,700/€3,500) carbon fibre chair was thrown across a room by Jenni Banks, head of the wheelchair racing programme, during a furious row at last September's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Banks was appointed in 2013 ahead of Weir's long-term coach, Jenny Archer.

"I have been let down again," said Weir in the first of a series of messages on Twitter.

"Today is the day I officially retire from GB, I will never put a shirt on again.

"Thanks British Athletics, what a joke.

"I have just retired from GB I will still be at the London Marathon this year."

It had initially been hoped that he would make July's World Para Athletics Championships in London his final swansong.

But the London Marathon on April 23 is now set to be the last race of the 37-year-old's illustrious career.

He is chasing a seventh title in the British capital as he bids to end a five year hiatus since his last victory there in 2012.

Bosses at British Athletics said they had hoped Weir would continue to be part of the team, but have welcomed his decision to retire.

"Whilst David first indicated in Rio he would not compete for GB again, British Athletics staff met with him last autumn to understand his decision and encourage him to be part of a memorable home world championships in 2017," a spokesperson said.

"However, he further met with our Paralympic Head Coach early last week where he reconfirmed that he would not be returning to international competition.

"David has had a phenomenal career and his gold medal haul will remain one of the iconic memories of London 2012. 

"All those at British Athletics who have worked with him during his career wish him well in his retirement from international representation."

David Weir is considered one of Britain's greatest ever Paralympians but suffered a disappointing time at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
David Weir is considered one of Britain's greatest ever Paralympians but suffered a disappointing time at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Weir, who cannot use his legs after being born with a congenital spinal cord transaction, competed at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics as a teenager before a breakthrough victory at the 2002 London Marathon aged 23.

He then secured track silver and bronze at the Athens 2004 Paralympics before four more medals - including 800 and 1,500 metres T54 golds - at Beijing 2008.

Four more golds followed at his home Games in London over 800, 1,500, 5,000m and the marathon.

But his final Paralympics in Rio proved disappointing as he failed to win any medals before swearing on live television after a technical problem forced him to withdraw from the marathon.

It is now clear that his performances there were affected by problems behind the scenes as well as on the track and road.

"I just felt I was stabbed in the back a lot," he said, without elaborating further, about his support immediately after those Games in the Brazilian city.