Tanni Grey Thompson

Tanni Grey-Thompson is a British former wheelchair racer, born on July 26, 1969, in Cardiff, Wales. She is widely recognised as one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK. Grey-Thompson began her professional career in the late 1980s and achieved numerous victories, including 11 gold medals at the Paralympics and the London Marathon six times.

Grey-Thompson is known for her incredible speed, strength, determination and versatility. She has won numerous individual awards for her achievements in sports. Off the field, Grey-Thompson is also recognised for her advocacy work for disabled people and her significant contributions to sports administration and policy-making.

Paralympic Games

• Debut and Early Success: Grey-Thompson made her Paralympic debut in 1988, winning a bronze medal. She went on to win a total of 11 gold, four silver, and one bronze medal across five Paralympic Games.

World Championships

• Global Dominance: Grey-Thompson represented Great Britain at various World Championships, securing multiple gold medals.

London Marathon

• Marathon Success: Grey-Thompson won the women's wheelchair race in the London Marathon six times between 1992 and 2002.

Post-Racing Career

• Advocacy and Leadership: After retiring from racing in 2007, Grey-Thompson became a prominent advocate for disabled athletes and sports administration, serving in various leadership positions, including as a member of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Great Britain National Team

• Debut: Made her debut for Great Britain in 1988.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: 11 gold, four silver, and one bronze medal.
• World Championships: Multiple gold medals.
• Grey-Thompson is one of Great Britain's most decorated Paralympians.

• Event: Primarily a sprinter, but also excelled in long-distance events.
• Skills: Known for her incredible speed, strength, and endurance. Grey-Thompson is celebrated for her versatility, determination, and tactical racing ability.

• Family: Grey-Thompson is married to Ian Thompson and has one child. She was born with spina bifida and is a wheelchair user.
• Advocacy: Grey-Thompson is an active advocate for disabled people and has made significant contributions to sports policy and administration.

• Tanni Grey-Thompson is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her work ethic, determination, and contributions to sports policy and administration. Her impact on the sport and her status as a role model extends beyond the track, inspiring millions of fans and athletes around the world.

Paralympic Games:

• 11 gold medals

World Championships:

• Multiple gold medals

London Marathon:

• Six-time winner

Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show in 2012.

Books

• Grey-Thompson, T. (2004) Seize The Day: My Autobiography. London: Hodder & Stoughton.

Websites

• Paralympics GB: Information about Tanni Grey-Thompson’s Paralympic 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

Articles

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