Lizzy Yarnold

Lizzy Yarnold, born on October thirty-first, nineteen eighty-eight, is a distinguished British former skeleton racer who made history by winning consecutive Olympic gold medals in the Winter Games of two thousand fourteen and two thousand eighteen. This remarkable achievement made her the first British Winter Olympian to secure two gold medals, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Initially, Yarnold showcased her athletic prowess in heptathlon during her youth. However, in two thousand eight, she transitioned to skeleton after joining UK Sport's Girls4Gold programme, which recognized her potential in this thrilling winter sport. She began her competitive journey in two thousand ten and quickly rose to prominence, becoming the world junior champion in two thousand twelve.

In the two thousand thirteen to fourteen season, Yarnold dominated the Skeleton World Cup, culminating in her gold medal victory at the two thousand fourteen Winter Olympics in Sochi. The following year, she achieved a grand slam by winning both the World and European Championships, solidifying her status as one of the sport's elite athletes.

Yarnold made history again at the two thousand eighteen Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where she became the first athlete to defend an Olympic title in skeleton and the first British athlete to successfully defend a title in any sport at a Winter Olympics, all while setting a new track record. Shortly after this monumental achievement, she announced her retirement from competitive skeleton racing.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to sport, Yarnold was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the two thousand fourteen Birthday Honours and later received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the two thousand eighteen Birthday Honours.