DENISE LEWIS
OLYMPIC LEGEND DENISE LEWIS OPENS UP TO OK! ABOUT HER SPORTING MEMORIES, LOCKDOWN AND WHY SHE’S DRIVING SUPPORT FOR TEAM GB
As an Olympic gold medallist, Denise Lewis understands the unique pressures the stars of Team GB will face as they head to Tokyo this month – and she’s behind them every step of the way. “There are so many great Team GB athletes. And some former medallists are going for their second or third one,” mum-of-four Denise explains as we catch up over the phone. “There’s so much to get behind and support!”
Denise, 48, won gold for the heptathlon in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and was crowned Commonwealth Games champion twice. In 2001, she was honoured with an OBE for her work in athletics, but now she’s more likely to be found trackside reporting and presenting for BBC Sport.
This year, with many spectators unable to travel to Tokyo to root for Team GB, Denise is urging fans to make sure we’re all cheering for them from home.
“The athletes competing in Tokyo won’t be having [the physical crowds] so it’s important to generate that momentum before we send them off,” she explains.
To help do that, Denise – who is mum to Troy, two, Kane, 12, Ryan, 14, with husband Steve Finan O’connor, and Lauryn, 18, from her first marriage – has teamed up with estate agent Purple Bricks to create an art relay to inspire support for our athletes.
Here, Denise tells us about the campaign, her hopes for the Games and her own Olympic memories…
Hi Denise, do you think Team GB will win big this year?
Yes! Jade Jones in Taekwondo – she’s been there and done it but still keen to get another gold medal. Gold is the only thing she’d be happy with! There’s Adam Peaty, he’s been swimming very well recently. The gymnast Max Whitlock, and cycling’s Laura Kenny too. On the track there’s Dina Asher-smith and Katarina Johnson-thompson. And obviously, we’ve got strong relay teams. There’s a lot of activity, no matter what your sport is. There’s so much to get behind and support!
You’ve launched Purple Bricks’ art relay campaign, where murals will be displayed around the country. Do you think we underestimate the importance of support for Team GB?
Yes! Home support is more important than ever. We’ve always had great backing from the British public. The travelling crowds, the Union
Jacks… When you need them, they’re there. The athletes competing in Tokyo won’t have that, so it’s important to try to generate that momentum before we send them off to compete.
What’s the best thing about being an Olympian?
Your first Olympics are just amazing. The fact that you’ve qualified is the best feeling in the world. The kitting-out experience is just mind-blowing. You don’t realise how much kit you’re getting and there’s a piece of kit for every scenario you’re getting yourself in. Naturally, there’s pressure and expectation and learning to deal with that is hard. You grow into that, but the values and friendships that you take away stay with you forever.
Was winning gold in Sydney in 2000 your career highlight?
Not much will top winning gold! But any time I have been fortunate enough to witness world records, to know you were in the stadium at that moment is amazing. I watched Michael Johnson’s world record.
I saw Usain Bolt and I watched David Rudisha back in 2012 when he broke the 800m world record. Those moments are precious.
Do you have your medals on display at home?
No, my family wouldn’t allow that level of selfindulgence! I’m Mum and what do I know about sport is usually what my boys think. The sport I did was in “the olden days”, is what my 12-year-old tells me. They’re very hard to impress unless you’re a Tiktok star!
How have you coped over the past year?
Homeschooling was a revelation. The stresses of dropping out during a webinar will forever haunt me. We did baking – my husband is now an expert at sourdough bread! My boys became experts at barbering. They have their own clippers and they’ve learnt how to do fades in their hair, so it’s saved me a fortune not having to go to the barber shop. Like everyone, January through to Easter was a real challenge. Homeschooling and the monotony of not being able to do team sports or see friends was very hard.
Have you kept your fitness up this year?
I did very well out of lockdown! I actually feel in the best shape I have in a long time – definitely since coming back post pregnancy after having my two-and-a-half-year-old. I feel good. My online gyms have worked a treat with my PT and a group of mums who meet a couple of times a week for our Zoom sessions. It’s been a revelation how well you can work out if you’ve got a few bits and pieces like heavy water bottles at home. It’s my go-to for inner calm. OK!
Three-time Olympian Denise lewis hosted The launch Of The purplebricks art relay, which is Travelling across The uk TO Drive home support for Team gb at TOKYO