Sharron Davies MBE

Sharron Davies MBE is a former competitive swimmer who represented Great Britain in the Olympics and European championships and competed for England in the Commonwealth Games. Sharron has competed in three Olympic Games, winning a Silver medal in the Moscow 1980 games. She has also competed in other international competitions over the past twenty years.

Throughout her career, Sharron set over 200 British swimming records, some enduring for decades, and competed across three decades – the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s – cementing her legacy as one of Britain’s most accomplished swimmers.

In 2005, she supported the British Olympic bid by raising profile and appearing as a spokesperson on BBC Question Time, where she made a strong case for bringing the games to London for 2012. In 1993, she received an MBE for services to swimming.

Since retiring from swimming, Sharron has had an extensive television career across various genres, both as a presenter and participant. She has been a regular commentator and presenter for the BBC’s swimming coverage. Programmes she has appeared on include The Big Breakfast, Dancing on Ice, The Island with Bear Grylls, and ITV’s This Morning.

Contact Great British Speakers today to book former Olympic swimmer, author and TV presenter Sharron Davies MBE for your next event.

Type Of Speaker

After Dinner Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Female Speakers Health & Wellbeing Olympians Speaker Sport Virtual Speakers Women's Health

More About Sharron Davies MBE

Sharron Davies MBE began swimming at the age of six and joined the Port of Plymouth Swimming Association when she was eight. She was initially coached by Ray Bickley and later by her father, Terry Davies, who became a coach and was inducted into the British Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.

Sharron Davies hire best known sportswomen speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Sharron Davies | Early Career

Representing the British national team at the age of 11 was the first record of Sharron’s career. Two years later, at age 13, she was selected to represent Great Britain at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. The next year, she won two bronze medals in the 1977 European Championships.

But it was in 1978 that 15-year-old Sharron stormed to the first of her many successes, winning Commonwealth gold medals in 200 and 400m Individual Medley events.

Her remarkable performance persisted, culminating in a hard-fought silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, where she finished just behind East German swimmer Petra Schneider. Like many prodigies who achieved fame and success at a young age, Sharron felt the need to step away and took a break from competitive swimming at 18, transitioning to a career in the media.

Years later, Petra Schneider admitted that doping had significantly aided her performance. Sharron and Petra’s emotional reunion became the focus of a compelling documentary aired on Channel 4.

Sharron Davies | A Break from Swimming

Like many young prodigies who succeed early in life, Sharron needed to escape the intense demands of training and competition. At just 18, she decided to “retire” and focus on a career in the media.

Yet, her passion for swimming remained strong, and in 1989, she made a triumphant return, reclaiming her national 200m title. Sharron led with distinction as the ladies’ captain for Britain’s 1990 Commonwealth Games team, earning silver and bronze medals.

Twice recognised as the British Press Sportswoman of the Year, her extraordinary international career spanned three decades, during which she claimed numerous major titles and medals and set over 200 British records – some of which remained unbroken for as much as 28 years.

Sharron Davies | Post-Retirement

Since retiring from competitive swimming in 1994, Sharron has built a multifaceted media, fitness, and advocacy career. She became a regular presence on television, notably contributing to BBC Sport’s coverage of swimming events, including the Olympic Games.

Beyond broadcasting, Sharon has been active in promoting health and fitness. She offers personal training sessions through her website, sharing her expertise to help others achieve their fitness goals.

She is also a patron of Disabled Sport England and SportsAid, reflecting her commitment to supporting athletes with disabilities and emerging sports talents.

Sharron Davies hire best known sportswomen speaker book at agent Great British Speakers

Sharron Davies | Fairness in Women’s Sports

In recent years, Sharron Davies has been a prominent advocate for fairness in women’s sports, dedicating significant attention to the complex and often contentious issue of transgender women competing against women. Drawing on her own experiences as an elite athlete, Sharron has argued that the physiological advantages retained by transgender women who have undergone male puberty can create an uneven playing field in female categories.

She has spoken publicly and written extensively on this topic, emphasising the need to protect opportunities for biological women in sports. Her advocacy has sparked widespread discussion and debate. Despite the controversy, Sharron has remained steadfast, calling for clear guidelines that ensure inclusivity without compromising fairness in competition.

In 2023, she co-authored Unfair Play: The Battle For Women’s Sport with Craig Lord. This book delves into the challenges facing women’s sports, particularly focusing on issues of fairness and the inclusion of transgender athletes. The authors present scientific data and arguments to advocate for protecting female athletes’ rights and the integrity of women’s sports categories.

Sharron Davies Speaking Topics

Sharron Davies remains in constant demand for media work, motivational speaking, awards and events hosting and public appearances throughout the UK and works with many household companies on a regular basis, often with family fitness or sport in mind.

Sharron speaks on:

Peak Performance
Preparation & Execution
Goal Setting
Teamwork & Support
Confidence in Performance
Aspire to Success
Over coming hurdles
She also speaks on wellbeing, fitness and how that effects mental health.

Topics

Leadership, Motivation, Overcoming Adversity, Sport, Women in Sport, Teamwork, Wellbeing and Mental Health

Why Book Sharron Davies?

Booking Sharron Davies as a speaker brings a wealth of inspiration, experience, and insight to any event. As an Olympic silver medallist and one of Britain’s most recognisable swimmers, Sharron’s journey is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and overcoming adversity. Her sporting career, spanning multiple decades, offers audiences a first-hand account of the mental and physical resilience required to succeed at the highest level.

Beyond her sporting achievements, Sharron has built a successful career in broadcasting, working with the BBC and covering major sporting events, which makes her a confident and engaging speaker. She is also a passionate advocate for fairness in women’s sport, adding a powerful voice to discussions on equality, integrity, and sportsmanship.