The United Kingdom has a long history of sporting competition, and here are some of the most well-known female athletes that contribute to that thrill.
The following is a list of some of the top female British athletes in the world, including those who have competed in the Olympics for the UK.
Rebecca Adlington
Born on Feb 17, 1989, Rebecca Adlington is a former British competitive swimmer who competed in international freestyle competitions. She participated in 4 Olympic games where she was able to win 2 gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle events, and 2 bronze in the 2012 London Olympic Games for the same.
Nicole Cooke
Born on Apr 13, 1983, Nicole Cooke, MBE is a cyclist from Wales who became the first cyclist to win both World Road Race Championships and Olympic in the same year. She is one of just a few riders to have won both the Giro D’Italia grand tours and Tour De France. She has won several titles but her accomplishments extend far beyond her sports resume. In her quest to enhance women's cycling, she has spoken out against sexism, drugs, and abuse.
Jayne Torvill
Born on Oct 7, 1957, Jayne Torvill is a British ice dancer. Jayne became the oldest figure skating Olympic medalist by winning a gold medal in 1984 and a bronze medal in 1994 with her partner Christopher Dean. After taking a break for seven years she and Dean made their ITV debut on the show Dancing on Ice. The performance runs from January to March every year, after which it travels on tour to stadia all around the UK.
Sharron Davies
Sharon Elizabeth Davies is a former English swimmer born on Nov 1, 1962. She swam in the Commonwealth Games for England and the Olympics and European championships for Great Britain. At the 400m individual medley, Davies took silver for the United Kingdom in Moscow. At the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton in 1978, she won two gold medals.
Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE is a well-known British athlete who is regarded as an inspiration and role model across the world. Kelly is a European Commonwealth and Olympic champion who has won four bronze, eight silver, and seven gold medals during her tenure. She has set and currently holds British records in the 800m and 1000m. She became the first British to win both the 800m and 1500m in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in over 80 years.
