Tanni Grey-Thompson

Tanni Grey-Thompson is a British former wheelchair racer, born on July 26, 1969, in Cardiff, Wales. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest disabled athletes of all time. Grey-Thompson began her professional career with the Bridgend Athletics Club before moving to the Red Star Athletics Club in London, where she won multiple titles, including eleven Paralympic gold medals.

Grey-Thompson is known for her incredible speed, strength, racing skill, and versatility. She has won numerous individual awards, holds over thirty world records, and has successfully transitioned to a career in public service and broadcasting following her retirement from competitive sports.

Off the field, Grey-Thompson is also recognized for her philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Bridgend Athletics Club

• Youth and Early Career: Grey-Thompson was born and raised in Cardiff and joined Bridgend Athletics Club as a teenager. She made her first competitive appearance in 1984.

Red Star Athletics Club

• Early Success: Grey-Thompson transferred to Red Star Athletics Club in London in 1990. Under the guidance of top coaches, she developed into one of the world's best wheelchair racers, winning her first Paralympic gold medal in 1992.

International Competition

• Record-breaking Career: Over the next fifteen years, Grey-Thompson became one of the most successful disabled athletes in history, winning a total of eleven Paralympic gold medals and breaking more than thirty world records. 
  Individual Awards: Grey-Thompson was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award in 2000 and the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability in 2001.

Retirement

• Public Service: Following her retirement in 2007, Grey-Thompson has remained an influential figure in sports through her work in broadcasting, politics, and advocacy for disabled individuals and athletes.

British Paralympic Team

• Debut: Made her debut at the Paralympic Games in 1988.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Winner of eleven gold medals between 1992 and 2004.
• World Championships: Winner of five gold medals between 1998 and 2006.
• Grey-Thompson is considered one of the most successful disabled athletes in British history.

• Position: Primarily a racer, competing in events from 100m to the marathon.
• Skills: Known for her incredible speed, strength, endurance, and racing technique. Grey-Thompson is celebrated for her versatility and her ability to excel across a range of distances.

• Family: Grey-Thompson has a daughter. She is married to Ian Thompson.
• Philanthropy: Grey-Thompson is involved in various charitable activities and has worked extensively to promote disability rights and access to sport.

• Tanni Grey-Thompson is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her work ethic, determination, and longevity in professional sports. Her impact on the sport and her status as an icon extend beyond the track, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Gold Medals in Paralympic Games:

• Eleven gold medals

Most World Records:

• Over thirty world records

Most Victories in the London Marathon:

• Six victories

Damehood:

• Awarded in 2005 for services to sport

Books

• Grey-Thompson, T. (2002) Aim High: The Complete Autobiography. London: HarperCollins.
• Hargreaves, J. (2008) Olympic Women and the Media: International Perspectives. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Websites

• Paralympics GB: Information about Tanni Grey-Thompson’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympics.org.uk
• BBC Sport: Details about Grey-Thompson’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport
• International Paralympic Committee: Official site with updates on Grey-Thompson’s performance and records. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org

Articles

• The Guardian: Tanni Grey-Thompson’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/tanni-grey-thompson

Interviews and Documentaries

• Unbreakable: The Tanni Grey-Thompson Story (2020): Directed by Peter Davies. This documentary provides a detailed look at Grey-Thompson’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• BBC Interviews: Various interviews and features on Tanni Grey-Thompson, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk