British · London · Born 3 March 19611987 world champion and former WR holder.
Fatima Ann Whitbread was born in London in 1961, abandoned by her mother at birth and placed in care before being adopted by javelin coach Margaret Whitbread aged 14. She became one of Britain's finest ever field athletes — winning the World Championship javelin title in 1987 and setting a world record of 77.44 metres in Stuttgart in 1986 that stood for 5 years. She competed from 1975 to 1992. She won Olympic silver at Los Angeles 1984 and Olympic bronze at Seoul 1988. She won the European Championship in 1986 and Commonwealth gold in 1986. Her world record of 77.44 metres remains the European record. Her path from childhood abandonment and care homes to world championship was one of athletics' most celebrated personal stories. Her rivalry with Tessa Sanderson — the other world-class British javelin thrower of the same era — dominated British athletics in the mid-1980s, both reaching Olympic medal standards at the same Games. She was awarded the MBE in 1987. She has spoken publicly about her childhood experiences and her connection to her drive to succeed, making her one of athletics' most compelling biographical subjects.
Javelin Thrower
How They Played
Powerful technical thrower with exceptional strength and precision
Lasting Impact
One of Britain's greatest field athletes and javelin throwing pioneer
Career Honours
- 1987 World champ javelin
- 1986 WR
- European champion
British Athletes