Dame Sarah Storey DBE

Dame Sarah Storey DBE. Photo by Richard Turner.
Dame Sarah Storey with her Olympic medals Photo: Richard Turner (CC)
Dame Sarah Storey with her Olympic medals Photo: Richard Turner (CC)
Helen Cook's picture

Dame Sarah Storey DBE

Dame Sarah Storey DBE is nominated as one of our 100 Women in Cycling 2019 for achieving the title of most successful female British Paralympian of all time but also championing cycling and walking as the Active Travel Commissioner for Sheffield City Region.

Dame Sarah Storey, DBE had an incredible career as a British road and track racing cyclist, as well as competing in swimming.

Sarah was born without a functioning left hand after her arm didn't form properly, starting her paralympic career as a swimmer in 1992 before switching to cycling in 2005. She became a multiple gold medal winner at the Paralympic Games in both sports, and is also a six times British (able-bodied) national track champion - an impressive fourteen gold medals makes her the most successful female British Paralympian of all time. 

When Sarah qualified to join the England team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, she became "the first disabled cyclist to compete for England at the Commonwealth Games", against non-disabled cyclists.

Sarah also supported other women to achieve, along with her husband Barney Storey she founded the Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International women's amateur cycling team in 2014, supporting the charity Boot Out Breast Cancer.

When Sarah was appointed as Sheffield's Active Nations Commissioner in April 2019, Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK Head of Campaigns said: “Sheffield City Region are to be applauded for their selection of Dame Sarah Storey as their new Cycling and Walking Commissioner. She’s such a fantastic inspiration for so many people, and Cycling UK hopes her amazing achievements continue as she makes the Sheffield region a cycling and walking success."

What is 100 Women in Cycling?

Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling is an annual list celebrating inspirational women who are encouraging others to cycle. 

Find out more about Sarah

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