Mark Foster, one of the UK’s most successful swimmers, has been announced as the new host of the 2023 BMF Members’ Conference and Awards on 21 September.
Throughout a glittering career Mark, who specialised in 50 meter butterfly and freestyle, won 47 major international titles, competed in five Olympic games and broke eight world records. He is a six-time world champion and eleven-time European champion.
Since retiring from competition, he has become a regular on television both as a commentator playing a key role in the BBC’s Olympic, Commonwealth and World Championships coverage, and also away from sport, perhaps most notably as a competitor on the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2008. Following his appearance on the popular Saturday evening show, he helped launch FitSteps – fitness classes featuring the nation’s favourite dances.
As well as inspiring teams and individuals with his experience from elite sport, Mark has also reflected on the role his personal life played in his swimming career and considered how his reluctance with colleagues and coaches to be open about being gay may have impacted his professional performance and general wellbeing.
BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “We are delighted that Mark has stepped into our Conference team, replacing Mark Pougatch who now has rugby duties for ITV. As well as being a fantastic live presenter, Mark’s personal experience chimes with the launch of our Industry Pledge on Equality Diversity & Inclusion, which will take place at the Conference.”
The BMF has also confirmed that “Bionic Woman” Claire Lomas, who made headlines worldwide as the first paralysed person to walk the 2012 London Marathon using a robotic exoskeleton, will be the keynote speaker at the forthcoming event.
In 2007, Claire’s life changed overnight following a horse-riding accident that left her paralysed from the chest down. She went from an active sportswoman who had just reached the highest level in eventing to a life where the simplest of tasks were hugely challenging.
She has not let her disability define her, but it has certainly redefined her, achieving some unimaginable feats and consequently inspiring people all over the world.
Completing the 2012 marathon took a gruelling 17 days and raised £220k for charity. The following year she undertook a 400 mile handcycle around England and subsequently completed both the Great North Run, the Great South Run and the Manchester Marathon earning the nickname, the Bionic Woman.
Through numerous challenges she has raised over £850k to help cure paralysis and was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her fundraising efforts.
Now the mum of two girls, Claire continues to challenge her limits and to push boundaries, obtaining a motorcycle race licence to ride on track days and recently qualifying as a pilot. Her inspirational story will show delegates what can be achieved with the right attitude and approach.
The BMF Annual Conference and black-tie Awards Dinner will take place on 21 September at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham. The BMF’s annual Golf Tournament and other social activities will be held on the previous day, 20 September at the Forest of Arden Golf Course.
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