Introducing our very own roster. Tanni Grey-Thompson and her Outstanding Moments

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson must surely count amongst the UK’s greatest living sports stars, but it’s far from her only claim to fame. Also a dogged campaigner, a popular presenter and a life peer in the House of Lords, she’s made waves in the sporting world and beyond.

Born Carys Davina Grey in Cardiff in 1969, when her sister first saw the infant Carys she pronounced her to be tiny, a word she pronounced as Tanni. The nickname stuck, and Tanni has never been known as anything else in her professional career. First beginning her career as a wheelchair racer in 1984, Tanni was one of the UK’s best known para-athletes and has contributed in many ways to the success of disability sports and able bodied sports since then.

One of the biggest names on our roster of athletes here at MN2S celebrity agents, you can check out three of her greatest achievements below:

Athletic career

It’s tough to pick out the highlight of an athletic career which saw Tanni pick up 16 Paralympic medals, 11 of which were gold in the 100m and 400m wheelchair racing disciplines. Unlike many athletes, however, she didn’t stick to sprints or even running, competing in her youth in wheelchair basketball and winning the London Marathon an incredible six times between 1992 and 2002. We’d say that her entire athletics career was one of her greatest achievements!

Improving access to sport

Although primarily an activist for disability sport, Tanni has also chaired a commission for the future of women’s sport and other organisations helping those who currently don’t to access sports provision. It would have been understandable had she wished to take some time off after retiring, but instead Tanni has taken on the responsibilities of sitting on the board of the London Marathon and Transport for London as well as patronising numerous charities. Throughout her career she has worked tirelessly for those less fortunate than herself, and she continues to do so to this day.

Being made a life peer

In 2010, Tanni Grey-Thompson was made a life peer of the House of Lords in London. She was given the title of Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in County Durham and sits in the House of Lords as a crossbencher, affiliated with no political party. As a life peer, her title will not be inherited, but she was appointed on the merit of her achievements and experience as a so-called people’s peer, nominated by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Very few people are appointed as peers, so the honour is certainly a great one.

Hire a celebrity athlete

Tanni Grey-Thompson is available to book through MN2S and she’s an incredibly inspiring person who is sure to prove a real draw. With a personal story that involves triumph over adversity, determination, success and giving back she’s a wonderful role model and a beautiful public speaker. Get in touch today to find out more about her availability.