FIRST IMPRESSIONS: SALLY GUNNELL
What are you working on?
I’m a brand ambassador for the Lake District Dairy Co. We are trying to get the message across just how important it is to eat healthily and to look after yourself. I love trying to influence people through their diet and exercise.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m at home sitting by my pond in a comfy chair and the kids are on their bikes.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting older and getting ill.
What is your earliest memory?
Winning my first race at primary school. I won a big orange ball.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
Butting in on people’s sentences.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My coach, who was with me since I was aged 14. He died two years ago, but he shaped a lot of my character. And my husband – we’ve been together since I was 18.
What is your most treasured possession?
The Olympic gold medal. It’s something I dreamt about. It’s irreplaceable so I take it everywhere.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
People who talk about themselves.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My tummy. If I put on weight it goes straight there.
What is your favourite book?
It’s a difficult one because I belong to a book club, which means I’ve read books I would never otherwise have found. I’m enjoying reading The Shock Of The Fall now.
And your favourite film?
Grease. I’ve watched it so many times. I know all the songs.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I love happy music. Music really affects my mood so I enjoy any song that is really upbeat and catchy.
What is your favourite meal?
On our honeymoon, we went on a yacht around the Caribbean and we were dropped off at this island. At the top of a hill there was this beautiful, candlelit restaurant. I remember having lobster thermidor. It was the most idyllic place to have it.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Nelson Mandela, Michael McIntyre, Madonna, Michael Johnson and Steffi Graf.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I’d just lost a race and I remember someone saying to me: ‘You’re a great athlete, but you’re the wrong size and colour and you’re too nice.’ It really spurred me on.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t, but I am quite superstitious. When I was running, I used to carry around a bag of lucky charms. I lost it right towards the end of my career. I was gutted.
What is your secret vice?
A really nice white wine, and crisps and dips.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do but not all the time. I try to save them for special moments.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Probably ‘Yeah’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I often wish I had somebody to chop up fruit and veg for me because I always think it tastes nicer when someone else does it.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’m very good at doing cartwheels and Arab springs, I love my gymnastics. Even at 47, I can do a very nice cartwheel.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She did the best that she could do.’
Sally Gunnell OBE is an Olympic gold medallist and ambassador for Lake District Dairy Co Quark.
I’m a brand ambassador for the Lake District Dairy Co. We are trying to get the message across just how important it is to eat healthily and to look after yourself. I love trying to influence people through their diet and exercise.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m at home sitting by my pond in a comfy chair and the kids are on their bikes.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting older and getting ill.
What is your earliest memory?
Winning my first race at primary school. I won a big orange ball.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
Butting in on people’s sentences.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My coach, who was with me since I was aged 14. He died two years ago, but he shaped a lot of my character. And my husband – we’ve been together since I was 18.
What is your most treasured possession?
The Olympic gold medal. It’s something I dreamt about. It’s irreplaceable so I take it everywhere.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
People who talk about themselves.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My tummy. If I put on weight it goes straight there.
What is your favourite book?
It’s a difficult one because I belong to a book club, which means I’ve read books I would never otherwise have found. I’m enjoying reading The Shock Of The Fall now.
And your favourite film?
Grease. I’ve watched it so many times. I know all the songs.
What is your favourite piece of music?
I love happy music. Music really affects my mood so I enjoy any song that is really upbeat and catchy.
What is your favourite meal?
On our honeymoon, we went on a yacht around the Caribbean and we were dropped off at this island. At the top of a hill there was this beautiful, candlelit restaurant. I remember having lobster thermidor. It was the most idyllic place to have it.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Nelson Mandela, Michael McIntyre, Madonna, Michael Johnson and Steffi Graf.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I’d just lost a race and I remember someone saying to me: ‘You’re a great athlete, but you’re the wrong size and colour and you’re too nice.’ It really spurred me on.
Do you believe in aliens?
I don’t, but I am quite superstitious. When I was running, I used to carry around a bag of lucky charms. I lost it right towards the end of my career. I was gutted.
What is your secret vice?
A really nice white wine, and crisps and dips.
Do you write thank-you notes?
I do but not all the time. I try to save them for special moments.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Probably ‘Yeah’.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
I often wish I had somebody to chop up fruit and veg for me because I always think it tastes nicer when someone else does it.
Can you tell us one thing people might not know about you?
I’m very good at doing cartwheels and Arab springs, I love my gymnastics. Even at 47, I can do a very nice cartwheel.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She did the best that she could do.’
Sally Gunnell OBE is an Olympic gold medallist and ambassador for Lake District Dairy Co Quark.