Born: 1966 (Chigwell, Essex, England)
Biography:
Sally Jane Janet Gunnell OBE DL was born on 29 July 1966 in Chigwell, Essex, England. She grew up on her family’s three-hundred-acre farm and attended the local primary and West Hatch High schools in Chigwell. Gunnell showed early promise in athletics as she joined the Essex Ladies club, initially excelling in long jump and heptathlon before eventually specializing in hurdling.
Gunnell’s breakthrough came in 1986 when she won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 100 metres hurdles in Edinburgh, ahead of Wendy Jeal and 1984 Olympic heptathlon champion Glynis Nunn. Her success continued as she remained the UK number one in the event over the next four seasons and reached the semi-finals at the 1987 World Championships and 1988 Olympics.
It was in 1988 that Gunnell first attempted the 400 metres hurdles event and showcased her potential. At the Olympic trials in Birmingham, she broke the UK record with a time of 55.40 seconds. In the Olympics held in Seoul, she improved this twice, first to 54.48 seconds in the semi-finals and then to 54.03 seconds in the final, finishing fifth. This remained her best time in the event for the next three years.
However, Gunnell’s true dominance in the 400 metres hurdles came between 1992 and 1994. In this golden 24-month period, Gunnell achieved an unprecedented sweep of victories in every international event open to her. She claimed Olympic Games, World Championship, European Championship, Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games, IAAF World Cup, and European Cup gold medals in the event. Additionally, she broke the British, European, and World records in the 400 metres hurdles.
Gunnell’s crowning achievement came at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where she won the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles. She became the first female British athlete to win all four major titles: Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth championships. Furthermore, she was the first female 400 metres hurdler in history to win both the Olympic and World titles and also break the world record.
Her world-record-setting time of 52.74 seconds in 1993 still ranks in the world’s top ten all-time, as of 2022. It also stands as the current British record for the 400 metres hurdles. Gunnell’s phenomenal performance in 1993 led to her being named World and European Female Athlete of the Year.
Gunnell’s contributions to athletics were acknowledged with several prestigious awards. She was made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1993 and then an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1998. These honors recognize her outstanding achievements and impact on British sports history.
Sally Gunnell’s legacy extends beyond her individual accomplishments. She inspired a generation of athletes and became a role model for aspiring female athletes. Her success in breaking barriers and achieving historical feats in women’s athletics helped pave the way for future generations. Gunnell’s dedication, perseverance, and talent in her athletic pursuits have cemented her place as one of the greatest British female athletes of all time.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
– World Championship gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– European Championship gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– Commonwealth Games gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– Goodwill Games gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– IAAF World Cup gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– European Cup gold medals in the 400 metres hurdles
– Named World and European Female Athlete of the Year in 1993
– MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1993
– OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1998.