Jonnie Peacock

Jonnie is the Double Paralympic, World & European T44 100m Champion. He sensationally won his first Paralympic title at the London 2012 Games during one of the best summers in British Athletics history. He then successfully defended his title at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

In Rio in 2016, Jonnie re-set the record books, running a time of 10.81 seconds in the T44 100m final, setting a Paralympic record in the process.

In what is an already remarkable journey, Jonnie's determination, courage and attitude led him to become one of Great Britain’s best Paralympians.

Jonnie was only five years old when he contracted Meningitis, which killed the tissue in his right leg. This resulted in an amputation just below the knee. At the time his family were told to prepare themselves for the worst.

After a remarkable recovery, and with the fighting spirit which would eventually help him to become a world-class sprinter, Jonnie made a full recovery from the disease. Whilst having his prosthetic leg fitted in hospital, Jonnie was encouraged to take part in a Paralympic sports talent day.

After years of training and learning his trade at regional events, it was in May 2012 that Jonnie competed in his first international race at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. A month later he broke the World Record and on 6th September 2012 he won Gold, making it a year to remember.

In 2013, Jonnie was awarded with an MBE in the New Years Honours list for services to athletics.

After battling through injury in 2015 Jonnie returned to success in the all important 2016. Jonnie began his fantastic season by winning the T44 100m final at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Grossetto and just a month prior to the Paralympic Games Jonnie recorded a lifetime best (10.68) and a British Record at the Loughborough EAP meeting. On the 9th September 2016 Jonnie became a double Paralympic Champion, defending his title and setting a new Paralympic Record (10.81) in the process.

Jonnie continued his unbelievable success into 2017 by winning GOLD in the World-Para Athletics Championships. In 2017 Jonnie also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

Jonnie is an inspiration to many young people and is passionate about building the profile of disability sport. He has vowed to take part in as many Paralympics as he possibly can, with the hope of winning more medals in the process.

Jonnie's passion for sport and overcoming adversity radiates from every fibre of his being: all we have to do is listen.