Baroness Grey-Thompson, DBE
Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)
Year conferred: 2005
Tanni Grey-Thompson has become one of the world's most respected sportswomen. She has been a wheelchair user since the age of seven due to spina bifida and is regarded today as Britain's greatest Paralympian having won 15 medals, including 11 gold medals.
Born in Cardiff in 1969, Tanni made her debut for Wales at the Junior National Championships aged 15. Her first Paralympic success was in 1988, claiming bronze in the 400m at Seoul. In Barcelona Tanni took four gold medals, including world records in the 100m and 400m. In 1996 in Atlanta she took silver in three disciplines with gold in the 800m whilst in Sydney 2000 she achieved victory in the 800m,100m, 200m and 400m. Tanni has rounded off her gold medal tally by triumphing in the 100m and 400m in the 2004 Athens Paralympics. She has also won six London Marathon titles.
In 2005 Tanni was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition for her services to sport.
Tanni retired from competitive athletics in 2007, but has continued her involvement with sport through her work on the board of UK Athletics and the board of the London Marathon.
It was announced in February 2010 that Tanni has been appointed as a peer and will sit on the cross-benches
