Monday, 12 September 2016

GUEST BLOG - Our first guest Joanne Jackson has written a blog post for Live Sport Talks! #LiveSportTalks

Joanne Jackson, 3 time Olympian swimmer
I was born in North Yorkshire and attended Richmond Secondary School. As a young girl, I loved to swim and wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps, Nicola and become an Olympic swimmer.

I specialised in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle and enjoyed an illustrious career, competing at three Olympic Games: Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012). I was just 17-years-old when I went to Athens with Team GB, and from this point on quickly established myself as a major force in international swimming.

I have had lots of success on the international stage throughout my career, winning silver, bronze and gold medals for my performances in major competitions including the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and European Championships.

One of my greatest achievements came in 2008 when I won an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing, going on to break two world records in the 400m freestyle the following year.

2009 was among my strongest seasons, during which I won more medals than any other British swimmer at a single World Championships, taking silver medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle, and a bronze in the 4×200m freestyle relay.

I was forced to retire from the sport after the 2012 Olympic Games because of injury but I have since gone on to set up my own swimming academy and also an athlete mentor for the Dame Kelly Homes trust and the Youth Sport Trust. I believe it was my commitment, hard work and determination that helped me to achieve my dreams and enjoys sharing my story with young people. 
Joanne will be a guest on 'Live Sport Talks' on the 22nd September at the Globe Academy in London.

 Joanne Jackson, 3 time Olympian swimmer
I was born in North Yorkshire and attended Richmond Secondary School. As a young girl, I loved to swim and wanted to follow in my sister’s footsteps, Nicola and become an Olympic swimmer.

I specialised in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle and enjoyed an illustrious career, competing at three Olympic Games: Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012). I was just 17-years-old when I went to Athens with Team GB, and from this point on quickly established myself as a major force in international swimming.

I have had lots of success on the international stage throughout my career, winning silver, bronze and gold medals for my performances in major competitions including the Commonwealth Games, World Championships and European Championships.

One of my greatest achievements came in 2008 when I won an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing, going on to break two world records in the 400m freestyle the following year.

2009 was among my strongest seasons, during which I won more medals than any other British swimmer at a single World Championships, taking silver medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle, and a bronze in the 4×200m freestyle relay.

I was forced to retire from the sport after the 2012 Olympic Games because of injury but I have since gone on to set up my own swimming academy and also an athlete mentor for the Dame Kelly Homes trust and the Youth Sport Trust. I believe it was my commitment, hard work and determination that helped me to achieve my dreams and enjoys sharing my story with young people. 
Joanne will be a guest on 'Live Sport Talks' on the 22nd September at the Globe Academy in London on Thursday 22nd September at 7pm. Tickets are still available at www.livesporttalks.com

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