Sports is more than medals and trophies — it is the mirror of our society.
Sports is more than medals and trophies — it is the mirror of our society.
For generations, white athletes have been applauded while others have been sidelined and stereotyped. It’s time we celebrate those “others” and acknowledge their contributions in shaping sports into what it is today.
From the sea of those “othered,” the group that has been most stereotyped is that of Black athletes. Labeled as the “natural Black athlete,” the myth suggests they are biologically superior in traits advantageous for power and speed sports. This stereotype cages them within certain sports.
Let’s debunk this myth and talk about the athletes who broke barriers.
Alice Dearing
First up, Alice Dearing, the first Black woman to represent Team GB in swimming at an Olympic Games. Swimming is considered a predominantly white sport.
“Their bones are too dense, they will sink when they get underwater, swimming is just not meant for them.”
Years of lies have made us believe this as truth. Alice, now retired, has not only shown her physical strength by competing in the open water marathon event, but she is also working hard to change perceptions and unveil the myth.
She founded the Black Swimming Association (BSA), a charity that aims to encourage participation among Black and ethnic minority communities and to highlight swimming as an essential life skill to prevent drowning.
Dearing is setting an example that sport is for everyone. She continues to inspire younger generations to engage with sports and not let lies get ahead of them.One of the swimmers who inspired Dearing was Paul Marshall — the forgotten pioneer.
Paul Marshall
He was the second Black man ever to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games (1980 Moscow Olympics). Born in 1961 in Ghana, he was adopted by Scottish parents and brought up in Dundee. His story is largely unknown but deeply powerful and inspiring.
Marshall represented Scotland in five events at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and broke the Scottish 100m backstroke record, narrowly missing out on a medal. He was only a teenager when selected for the Moscow Olympics. Marshall helped change perceptions about who could succeed in swimming — proving that success in the pool has no colour.
Mo Farah
Next up, Sir Mo Farah, a name that carries not just medals but a story of courage, hope, and belonging.
Born in Somalia and brought to Britain as a child, Mo’s early life was filled with struggle. He arrived in a new country not knowing the language, separated from his family, and later revealed that he had been trafficked, forced to survive in a world that didn’t always see him.
Yet, through sheer determination, he transformed those struggles into strength.
Representing Great Britain, he went on to win four Olympic gold medals and six world titles, becoming a national hero and one of the most decorated track athletes in British history.Farah’s famous “Mobot” celebration became a symbol of joy and pride, uniting people across backgrounds.
Today, Sir Mo Farah continues to inspire future generations, showing that your beginnings do not define your destiny, and that perseverance, courage, and belief can carry you beyond every barrier.
These stories remind us that excellence does not see the colour of your skin, the shape of your eyes, your gender, or how your body looks. All it truly cares about is your hard work, your dedication, and your dreams.
Let’s celebrate these athletes, and the many more like them, who have chased excellence despite the hardships, the doubt, and the countless times they were told “you can’t do it.” They kept going even when they were stared at, judged, and underestimated simply for how they looked.
Their journeys prove that talent and determination know no boundaries. Everyone deserves to dream, and every dream deserves the chance to shine.