When considering the dazzling global stage of the Olympics it’s easy to forget how close these star-studded athletes can be to our own lives. The aftermath of the Tokyo 2020 games brings the perfect opportunity to change this by reflecting on the wide array of Olympians and their personal stories, and what better way to do so than highlighting the incredible displays of our own South London athletes?
Imani Lansiquot
Imani Lansiquot took home an impressive bronze as part of GB’s 4x100m Relay Team – earning her first medal at her Olympic debut! Born and raised in Peckham, Imani talks of winning school sports day sprints in “dodgy tracksuit bottoms” and being obsessed with the sport ever since. Inspired by watching her soon-to-be teammates at Rio 2016, she believes “if you see it, you can be it.”
Imani’s great efforts aren’t limited to just the track however, as she strives to “be a part of positive change” for black youth and has made notable steps in taking up a leading role in the British Athletics Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advocates Group.
Daryll Neita
Next up comes Daryll Neita, another major part of GB’s relay team scoring bronze. Unlike Imani, Daryll had already performed on the team and in fact defended her previously earnt Rio 2016 medal. Having grown up in Camberwell and attending school in Lewisham, Daryll has strong ties to South London. She seems to have fond memories of the area, reminiscing seeing Usain Bolt as “this little schoolgirl in Lewisham.”
Daryll has also made impressive efforts off the track – having been involved in a number of different charities to inspire young children into sport and healthy lifestyles including the Nike collaboration ‘Active Kids Do Better’.
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Dina Asher-Smith
And of course, one can’t discuss GB track accomplishments without mentioning the fantastic Dina Asher-Smith. At just 25 years old, Dina also captains the GB athletics team and is considered the fastest British woman in history after achieving a stunning second place at the 2019 World Championships (with her teammate Daryll right behind!).
The Orpington-born athlete suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury that prevented her widely anticipated competition in the individual 100m and 200m sprints, but in an impressive display she powered through and helped her teammates gain a respectable bronze as captain of the GB relay team, defending her Rio medal.
Alex Yee
Alex Yee made an impressive Olympic debut at just 23, bringing home silver in men’s triathlon and a monumental gold as part of the GB mixed relay team.
Despite previously running a faster 5000m than the legendary Mo Farah did at the same age, the Lewisham-born athlete still considers himself “a normal boy from south-east London.” Likewise, Alex states “I still feel like a child of the sport, going into every race trying to learn things” – a humility and dedication to the sport that is sure to take him even higher on the world stage.
Kye Whyte
At just 21, Peckham’s own Kye Whyte scored an impressive silver medal in BMX cycling – Britain’s first in the sport!
(Via: The SUN)
Kye was introduced to BMX racing at the young age of 3 by his father, who co-founded the Peckham BMX Club in hopes of steering youngsters away from gang culture. Kye and his family took strongly to the sport, with his older brother Tre also competing at a professional level. The young athlete was glad to continue the family legacy by representing GB, and went on to cheer his teammate Bethany Shriever to gold. Despite moving to Manchester, Kye hopes to bring a part home along with him by starting his own chicken wing business - bringing a touch of London to the northern city.
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