Undefeated IRONMAN legend Chrissie Wellington has been named among a shortlist of 15 inspirational female athletes as the UK is asked to vote for its ‘Sportswoman of the 21st Century’.
Part of the BBC’s celebration of women’s sport, the BBC 5 Live Breakfast team is looking to highlight the careers of those outstanding competitors who have made the biggest impact on UK sport since 2000.
A four-time IRONMAN World Champion, Chrissie is very much regarded as sporting royalty, having enjoyed a stellar career which saw her win all 13 of the full-distance races that she competed in – an incredible feat that also included three titles at Challenge Roth.
Her world record winning time of 8:18:13 at Roth in 2011 stood for 12 years, as her career helped to not only set new standards for the modern era, but also inspire countless athletes to follow in her footsteps.
‘Honoured & humbled’
Posting on her X account, Chrissie said: “I’m so incredibly honoured & humbled to be on the @bbc5live Breakfast ‘UK’s sportswoman of the 21st century’ shortlist, alongside a suite of phenomenal, game-changing athletes.
“Such an honour and a total surprise to have been included. Sport changed my life and gave me a platform to drive change that I could never have imagined and am so grateful for.”
The 15-woman shortlist was pulled together by an expert panel of judges, which included the likes of BBC 5 live broadcasters Eleanor Oldroyd, Jeanette Kwakye and Sonja McLaughlan, BBC Sport’s women’s sport reporter Jo Currie, Stephanie Hilborne (CEO Women in Sport), Paula Dunn (head coach GB Para-athletics), Montell Douglas (former GB sprinter and Gladiator), JJ Chalmers (broadcaster and Invictus games medallist), Riya Mannu (Birmingham City WFC) and Penny Briscoe (director of sport, Paralympics GB).
Much more than just race achievements
Having first considered a longlist of more than 180 names from across more than 50 different disciplines, the panel selected their final 15 by gauging their personal achievements and also the contributions they have made to women’s sport.
An article on the BBC website announcing the shortlist explains Chrissie’s inclusion within the illustrious group: “The first British athlete to win the Ironman World Championship, which she has done four times. Unbeaten in full-distance races and a former world record holder.
“Promotes women in sport, wellbeing, inclusive fitness, and helped launch the women’s Tour de France. In 2016 she was appointed an OBE.”
The public vote opened on Monday, 25 August and closes at 10:00 BST on Friday, 29 August.
The final 15, in alphabetical order, are:
Nicola Adams (boxing)
Rebecca Adlington (swimming)
Maggie Alphonsi (rugby union)
Lucy Bronze (football)
Charlotte Edwards (cricket)
Jessica Ennis-Hill (athletics)
Katherine Grainger (rowing)
Tanni Grey-Thompson (para-athletics)
Kelly Holmes (athletics)
Laura Kenny (cycling)
Ellen MacArthur (sailing)
Kate Richardson-Walsh (hockey)
Ellie Simmonds (Para-swimming)
Sarah Storey (para-swimming and para-cycling)
Chrissie Wellington (triathlon)
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