We were privileged to have Michael Gunning, swimmer for Team GB and Team Jamaica, visit the School this week. Michael shared his journey as an elite swimmer from school, to Team GB to then becoming Jamaica’s fastest ever swimmer. Michael lead the school assembly on the importance of Pride Month and led a swim coaching session for our high performance swimmers.
Michael is an international 200-metre butterfly swimmer who holds dual nationality, and has set national records for both Team GB and Team Jamaica during his competitive swimming career. In 2018, he was awarded Sportsman of the Year in Jamaica for his contribution to sport and was listed in the Forbes Under 30 List (Europe Sport and Games – Class of 2024).
He is one of the few mixed-race swimmers in a traditionally white sport and he is an inclusivity champion who campaigns for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community around the world. As such, Michael recently appeared in BBC One’s ‘Tom Daley: Illegal to be Me’ documentary and has been appointed Pride House Ambassador for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in LA 2028.
His visit was an inspiration and we are grateful to Michael for sharing his journey with our pupils.
