Tanni Grey-Thompson was today appointed to the House of Lords where she will serve as a Crossbench (non-party political) peer.

The accolade follows a number of honours since the Welsh UKA Board member retired from competitive action.

In 2005 she was made a Dame of the British Empire, and most recently she was ranked top woman in the Times’ Sporting Power 100 most influential people in British sport today.

With eleven Paralympic gold medals to her name and six London Wheelchair Marathons from 1988 to 2004, Baroness Grey-Thompson, 40, has cemented herself as the first lady of athletics on and off the track.

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In addition, she has been voted BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year on three separate occasions: in 1992, 2000 and 2004.

UKA Chairman Ed Warner said: “I would like to pass on my warmest congratulations to Baroness Grey Thompson.

“This is an honour that reflects not only her unrivalled success on the track, but also her commitment to athletics and the Paralympic movement since retiring.

“Tanni’s passion and dedication to her sport is obvious to all who meet her and her insight as a former athlete is hugely valuable to the UKA Board.”

Nick Grounds, Sportsister
The Women’s Sport Magazine