Biography

Sally Gunnell OBE is the greatest female athlete this country has ever produced and the only woman in history to have ever concurrently held all four major championship gold medals – Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European.

Since her retirement from athletics in September 1997, following a return of the Achilles injury that forced her to pull out of the semi-finals at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Sally has developed into one of the countries leading spokeswomen on well-being and the health and fitness industry. In 1999 she fronted Channel 4’s athletics coverage and since became an integral part of the BBC’s broadcasting team. In addition to fulfilling a pivotal role in the coverage of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Sally spent much of 2001 covering all international events for the BBC.

Outside of athletics broadcasting, Sally filmed two series’ of the highly acclaimed Channel 4 children’s programme, ‘Peak Performance’, enjoyed being a resident guest on Granada’s Live Talk series throughout 2001 and appeared regularly on GMTV fronting their ‘Step Into Summer’ fitness strand in 2000.

2001 was the year that saw the launch of Sally’s book and related motivational speaking and training programme, ‘Be Your Best’. Based on her key, non-threatening and realistic approach to health and fitness and general well being, both the book and training programme have proved to be exceptionally successful.

Her activities within the health and well-being industry include Sally teaming up with leading motivational speaker Pete Cohen, to spearhead the national weight loss programme, ‘Lighten Up’. She has also recently signed a long-term agreement with Crown Sports, the largest developing group of health and fitness clubs in the UK, to produce a series of publications focusing on the subject of well-being and to consult to the group on their future strategy.

In addition to this, Sally continues to fulfil her role as figurehead for the British Heart Foundation where she is involved in a number of their key initiatives, including their national campaign to get kids back into sport. Sally’s own campaign to help get and keep children healthy and active is enhanced by her association with leading children’s nursery Tumble Tots. She acts as both a consultant and ambassador for the well-respected and ever developing organisation.

Sally remains as popular in retirement as she was on the track – a true star, who has not let her success change either her values or down to earth approach to life.

Sally’s polished corporate presentation is a fascinating story of grit and determination to ensure success and she is much in demand as a motivational and after dinner speaker, but with her relaxed yet experienced style, she is also perfect for awards hosting.