On this special 191st episode of “Listen In With KNN” presented by Fox Sports 1340AM/96.9 FM, host Kelsey Nicole Nelson welcomed special guest Olympic Gold medalist, IAAF world champion, European champion and Commonwealth champion Sally Gunnell OBE to the show.
The duo discussed Gunnell’s memorable Olympic Games experience and what it meant to become the “Golden Girl” of British Athletics. The Essex native girl who captured the hearts of a nation, specialized in the 100m and the 400m hurdles.
Gunnell spoke on her Barcelona 1992 Olympic experience. “It still means as much now as it did then and you know for any track & field person the Olympics is the pinnacle of your career.” Gunnell says the Olympics was something she dreamt about since she was 14-years-old. “To cross that line and win that Olympic title… It was life changing… You go from sort of no one really knowing you back here in the UK, to everybody knowing you… My life changed overnight as I say,” said Gunnell.
Gunnell’s rise to the pinnacle of her sport was hard won. She fell short of her chance to be World Champion in 1991, but stormed back to win Olympic Gold in 1992. She defied incredible odds to become a World Champion in 1993, setting a new World Record in the process. She often fought with injuries and competed with athletes that were equally as gifted as her but was able to ultimately push through and overcome the odds.
Gunnell also reflected on her experience at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games where her quest for a title was cut short because of injury. “I feel so many mixed emotions with Atlanta… It’s funny how I remember Atlanta in being an amazing Olympics and a great Olympics and I’ve managed to erase probably what was my lowest point of my whole career and it’s funny how you’re able to do that, you know being carried off the track and erase that and remember the great time,” said Gunnell.
Gunnell remains the only woman to hold the four major track titles concurrently in the United Kingdom. “I think that was one of the hardest things is delivering time and time again… It’s hard when it’s expectations… I remember going into those world championships the following years thinking ‘gosh this isn’t just about doing it for me, it’s about doing it for the nation,” said Gunnell.
In addition to Gunnell’s special Olympic feats, Nelson and Gunnell also discussed her royal experience and distinguished list of awards. The British royal family has been the topic of much conversation both overseas and here in America. When asked about the British royals, Gunnell shared her thoughts on the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Marckle. Living in the Sussex area and becoming accustomed to the spotlight, she shared she understands the importance of mental health and people needing space. “I’m very much into the royal family in that I’ve had some amazing experiences of dinners and going to garden parties. It’s just what they do over there…,” said Gunnell.
Gunnell added that she respects the British royals’ privacy and supported it. Speaking of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Gunnell said, “They’ve decided to live over in California to have their privacy because I realize how hard it is over here and what the press can be like… I think everybody should do what they need to do… support each other and do what is right for you… I still have a real support in the royal family because I think they do a lot here…”
Today, Gunnell is married to Jonathan Bigg and is ‘mum’ to her three sons, Finley, Luca and Marley. Now she works to promote health and wellbeing for everyone in the UK. She is a passionate supporter of encouraging families to become more active. Her incredible athletic career inspires others to believe in their own abilities and become the very best that they can be.
You can follow Sally Gunnell on social media via: Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook.
