Retired Swimmer Michael Gunning Earns Sports Personality Award
Retired swimmer Michael Gunning was awarded Sports Personality of the Year at the UK’s Ethnicity Awards in October.
Gunning was recognized in the public awards section, which highlighted online influencers, broadcasters and public figures. He earned the award for his work that includes presenting for the BBC and ITV.
Gunning has served as an ambassador for the British Elite Athletes Association, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, both in Paris in 2024 and upcoming in 2028. He was recognized for his ability to use his platform “to champion equality far beyond the field of play.”
“I want to dedicate this award to anyone who has felt alone, anyone who has felt like they don’t fit in, because I’m sure that many people in this room, we sometimes feel like we have to dim our light, that it can’t always be ourselves, that we have to try and be normal,” Gunning said in his acceptance speech. “What is normal? I am so proud to be here. I wouldn’t be here today if I was normal. I’m so proud to be gay. I’m so proud to be a person of colour. I’m so proud to be camp and flamboyant.
“All those things the bullies used to call me, because now they are my superpower. I will continue to use the platform that I have to fight for LGBT rights. No one should be prosecuted for being who they are in the country that they’re in, and black people can swim and I will keep helping make swimming available to everyone.”
Gunning, 32, was born in Kent. He represented Team GB in his youth, then Jamaica at the international level. He came out as gay in 2018 and has long been an advocate for various causes, including water safety and swimming instruction for traditionally underserved communities in the United Kingdom and for visibility and equality for the LGTBQ community.
The Ethnicity Awards, founded in 2018, “celebrate individuals and organisations that support Black, Asian and diverse Ethnic communities.”
“The Ethnicity Awards showcases individuals and organisations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the progress of inclusion of marginalised ethnic groups,” it says on its website. “Our inclusive awards engages those who ensure equality, opportunity and fair treatment for all, regardless of ethnic background. The awards together communities, businesses and individuals to support a diverse Britain where everyone feels they can belong.”