Sprinter James Ellington on being a fighter and never giving up

Track & Ball with Ellen White and Richard Whitehead

James Ellington is one of Britain's finest sprinters. In this chat he's relaxed and brutally honest. And he's got a story to tell!

He fell in love with athletics as a toddlers watching on TV. But the real change happened when his mum grounded him for 6 months when he was 12 years old for getting in to trouble with the police.

James joined the local athletics club at Crystal Palace and never looked back. He was national champion at 12 and went on to compete internationally.

But it has been far from plain sailing. He wasn't funded - so auctioned himself on ebay to raise money to compete at the London Olympics. He was also only training 3 times a week and so didn't really understand the demands of a professional athlete.

He's got firm views on racism, sexism and the class divide in his sport.

James is an Olympian and British and European Champion. He's been a part of the sprint relay squads; and has his own views on why more medals haven't been won by GB in that event.

Life changed dramatically in 2017 when he was seriously injured in a head-on crash at a training camp in Tenerife. Many thought this was career-ending.

James is currently training in Dubai and hoping to make the Tokyo Games in 2021. And he gives insight into the technical training that takes place in the 100m to allow him to sprint as fast as he can.

Thanks for listening!

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