Athletics success at the Sporting Equals Awards
On Saturday we were delighted to be in London for the Sporting Equals Awards, celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of ethnically diverse communities throughout the United Kingdom. As well as celebrating those nominated from the athletics community, we were also proud to sponsor the Coach of the Year award.
Speaking after the awards ceremony England Athletics CEO, Chris Jones, said:
"It is with great pleasure that we attend the Sporting Equals Awards each year and can work together as a partnership, sponsoring the Coach of the Year category. Athletics and running are two of the most diverse, accessible and inclusive sports out there, and we are delighted tonight to be recognising the achievements of those involved in our sport, but also the wider sporting community in the UK.
"It is very significant to be celebrating those from ethnically diverse communities during Black History Month. It not only enables us to congratulate the winners and nominees but to also take some time to pause and reflect. At its core, athletics embraces inclusivity, inspiration, integrity, and belonging – values that are represented brilliantly by these deserving winners."
Linford Christie OBE - Lifetime Achievement Award
The outstanding Linford Christie OBE received the Sporting Equals Lifetime Achievement Award, dedicated to someone who has made a major impact on the world of sport and society.
Linford Christie OBE is one Britain's most decorated athletes, having achieved Olympic gold in 1992, silver in 1988 and an array of World, European and Commonwealth medals over his career. In 1993, he became the first man in history to hold the Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles over the 100m, holding a longstanding British record of 9.87 for nearly 30 years until it was broken in 2023. After a glittering career, Linford is now a speed coach, supporting a range of high achieving Team England and Team GB athletes, such as Bianca Williams, Ama Pipi and recent England champion, Darcey Kuypers.
Sam Reardon - Sixes Social Cricket Sportsman of the Year
Despite being an under-23 athlete, Sam has made his mark on the athletics scene in both England and worldwide. A late call-up for the Paris Olympic Games, Sam took it all in his stride and joined his 400m relay teammates to bring home two bronze medals, in both the men's and mixed 4x400m relays. Dynamite over both the 400m and 800m, Reardon sliced his 400m PB to 44.7 in style at the London Diamond League in front of a 60,000 strong home crowd.
Harley Hicks - England Athletics Coach of the Year
For the second year running, we were delighted to support the Coach of the Year award, and this year Harley Hicks was the recipient. Coach Harley's dedication to his swimmers goes far beyond the usual responsibilities of a coach. He spends more than 20 hours per week delivering 16 hours of pool training and supervising gym sessions for national-level athletes. His commitment is particularly remarkable given that Gators Swimming Club operates without public funding, meaning he must creatively manage resources to ensure that athletes receive the best possible training.