National Treasure: Tanni Grey-Thompson

‘Tanni’ is a nickname that has stuck with ‘Carys Davina’ since she was a baby, after her older sister adoringly called her ‘tiny’. Tanni started using a wheelchair from the tender age of seven; however this never held her back as a determined and independent child she loved taking part in sports such as swimming, archery and horse riding.

She is now considered one of the most successful disabled athletes in the UK. Since her career began in 1988 she has won 15 Paralympic medals, 13 World Championship medals, broke 30 world records and achieved many personal bests. Her fifth and last Paralympic games were in Athens, where she brought us home an amazing two gold medals in wheelchair racing!

After retiring in 2007, she is still continuing her involvement in the sporting world since becoming a director of UK athletics and also a board member for the London marathon. Over the years Tanni has received numerous awards for her significant influence in sports such as BBC Wales sports personality of the year, UK sporting hero by sport UK, Pride of Britain and most incredibly a DBE for her services to sport! Making her not only Baroness Grey-Thompson but a remarkable woman, sporting legend and national treasure.

Image Credit: IvanWalsh.com