Jeanette Kwakye

British Broadcaster, Former Olympic Sprinter, Five-Time British Champion & History-Making 100m Olympic Finalist

Jeanettee Kwakye’s Biography:

Jeanette Kwakye MBE is a former Olympic sprinter turned leading British broadcaster, presenter and event host. A five-time British athletics champion and World Indoor silver medallist, Jeanette made history when she reached the final of the 100 metres at the Beijing Olympic Games, becoming the first British woman to achieve the feat in 24 years. Today, she is widely recognised as one of the most respected voices in sports broadcasting, appearing regularly across BBC Sport, Sky Sports and Channel 5. Combining elite sporting experience with strong media expertise, Jeanette is a compelling speaker who shares insights on resilience, performance and representation in sport and media.

Jeanette first developed her passion for athletics during her youth and quickly progressed through the national ranks as a talented sprinter. Representing Great Britain at junior level, she won a bronze medal in the 4x100m relay at the World Junior Championships before establishing herself on the senior stage. She went on to become a five-time British champion across the 100 metres and 200 metres and rose to international prominence during the late 2000s. Her career highlight came at the Beijing Olympic Games, where she competed in the 100m final and achieved a top-six finish against the world’s fastest athletes. Unfortunately, a series of injuries disrupted later seasons, and she retired from professional athletics in 2014 after more than a decade competing at the highest level.

Following her retirement from athletics, Jeanette retrained as a journalist and quickly established herself as a respected broadcaster. She has presented major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games for BBC Sport, while also hosting programmes such as the Women’s Football Show and contributing to BBC Radio 5 Live. In 2020, she made history as the first Black female presenter to host a boxing broadcast on terrestrial British television. In recognition of her contributions to sport and media, Jeanette was awarded an MBE for services to sport and sports broadcasting in 2021.

Alongside her broadcasting career, Jeanette is a passionate advocate for youth development and diversity in sport. She has worked with the Youth Sport Trust to mentor young people and has partnered with global brands including Google, Nike, Twitter and BMW. A confident host and engaging storyteller, Jeanette brings authenticity, energy and expertise to live events, sharing lessons from elite sport and broadcasting that inspire audiences to perform at their best.

Why Hire Jeanette Kwakye?

Jeanette Kwakye is hired as a speaker for her unique perspective as both an Olympic athlete and leading sports broadcaster. Drawing on experiences from competing on the world stage and presenting major global sporting events, she delivers powerful insights into high performance, resilience and overcoming setbacks. Jeanette speaks passionately about representation, confidence and the role sport can play in empowering young people and diverse communities. With an engaging stage presence developed through years of live broadcasting, she connects naturally with audiences and is a highly accomplished host, panel moderator and keynote speaker.

Jeanette Kwakye’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Jeanette Kwakye’s incredible career:

• 2026 – Presented coverage of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games for BBC Sport.
• 2024 – Hosted BBC coverage during the Paris Olympic Games alongside leading sports broadcasters.
• 2023 – Became co-presenter of The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV.
• 2021 – Awarded an MBE for services to sport and sports broadcasting.
• 2020 – Became the first Black female presenter to host boxing coverage on a UK terrestrial television channel.
• 2019 – Reported for BBC Sports Personality of the Year and covered major international sporting events for BBC Sport.
• 2017 – Published the children’s book Femi the Fox, promoting West African culture.
• 2014 – Retired from professional athletics and began a career in sports journalism and broadcasting.
• 2008 – Reached the Olympic 100m final at the Beijing Games, the first British woman to do so in 24 years.
• 2002 – Won bronze in the 4x100m relay at the World Junior Championships representing Great Britain.