Sarah Storey is a British Paralympic athlete, one of the most decorated in her country's history. First a swimmer and then a cyclist, she has amassed a record number of gold medals over several decades of competition.
Sarah Storey(1977 — ?)
Sarah Storey
Royaume-Uni
5 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born in 1977 in Manchester with a malformed left hand
- Made her debut at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games in swimming, at age 14
- Switched to cycling from 2005 onwards after recurring swimming injuries
- Became the most decorated British Paralympian of her era at the London 2012 Games
- Has amassed 17 Paralympic titles across her appearances, a British national record
Works & Achievements
First international triumph at just 14 years old, launching an exceptionally long career.
A rare move to the highest level from one sport to another, becoming a champion in both disciplines.
A triumphant home performance that made her a national hero of British sport.
Confirmation of her dominance in both road and track cycling.
A historic record: she becomes the most decorated British para-athlete of all time.
Sustained dominance at the para-cycling World Championships over nearly fifteen years.
Anecdotes
Sarah Storey was born without a functional left hand. Yet, from the age of 14, she competed in her first Paralympic Games in Barcelona in 1992... as a swimmer, and already won two gold medals there.
After dominating the pool, a chronic ear infection forced her to completely switch sports in the mid-2000s. She moved from swimming to cycling and became a champion in this new discipline, an extremely rare feat at the highest level.
Her level is so superior that she attempted to qualify for the able-bodied Beijing Olympics in 2008, narrowly missing the British team pursuit selection. She regularly races against non-disabled athletes.
At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Sarah Storey became the most decorated British Paralympic athlete in history with 17 gold medals, surpassing the record of swimmer Mike Kenny that had stood since the 1980s.
In 2012, just a few weeks after giving birth to her daughter Louisa, she resumed training and won several world titles, demonstrating exceptional sporting longevity spanning nearly three decades.
Primary Sources
Becoming Britain's most decorated Paralympian was never my goal — my goal has always been to win the race on the day.
I had to give up swimming because of recurring ear infections, but I wasn't ready to stop competing.
Sarah Storey is made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to cycling.
Key Places
City in northern England where Sarah Storey was born and where she grew up before becoming an athlete.
Track of the 2012 Games where she triumphed in front of the British crowd at London 2012.
Host city of the 1992 Paralympic Games, where she won her first swimming titles at age 14.
Host of the 2021 Paralympic Games where she became Britain's most decorated para-athlete.
Region in northwest England where she established her home and training base.
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Double titre paralympique en natation à Barcelone
1992
Reconversion réussie de la natation au cyclisme
2005
Quadruple titre paralympique à Londres
2012
Trois titres paralympiques à Rio
2016
17e médaille d'or paralympique à Tokyo
2021
Multiples titres de championne du monde de cyclisme
2005-2020
