Breaking Barriers In Sport

Breaking Barriers In Sport

Greatness is a reserve of the few. Definitions remain largely subjective.

In a sporting context, this is often measured by material success. The accumulation of wealth and honours often overshadow the exploits of those predecessors, who challenged prejudice and facilitated greater opportunities for future generations.

Acknowledgement of the contribution made by athletes from a Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, is particularly prescient.

In the field of Athletics: the achievements of Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, Shirley-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt, owe a huge debt of gratitude to the fortitude displayed by Jesse Owens – in overcoming unparalleled adversity throughout the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

Similarly, the achievement of Arthur Ashe, in becoming the first Black athlete to be crowned Men’s Singles Champion at Wimbledon in 1975, provided a future pathway for the likes of Venus and Serena Williams.

Premiership footballers in need of inspiration, need look no further than the West Bromwich Albion triumvirate, of Brendan Batson, Laurie Cunningham and Cyrille Regis from the late 1970’s.

Countless other examples exist within the wider sporting landscape.

At the summit however, sits Muhammad Ali. His achievements transcend sport and are extremely well documented. Universally recognised as ‘The Greatest’, Ali consistently challenges inequality and demands opportunity for all, irrespective of the colour of your skin.

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