
Richard Whitehead MBE is a highly accomplished Paralympian and record-breaking marathon runner, celebrated for his achievements in both sprinting and endurance events. A two-time Paralympic Gold medallist and two-time Paralympic Silver medallist, Richard has competed in the 100m and 200m disciplines, claiming medals at London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. Born with a double through-knee congenital amputation, Richard has defied expectations by competing with prosthetic legs and achieving greatness in elite sport. He has also broken the World Record for bilateral knee amputees at the Chicago Marathon, confirming his place as one of the most versatile and inspirational para-athletes of his generation. Today, he is a sought-after sports and after dinner speaker, known for his powerful story of resilience and success.
Richard’s journey began not on the track, but on the ice. He represented Great Britain as a sledge hockey player at the 2006 Turin Winter Paralympic Games before discovering his passion for running. His switch to athletics proved life-changing. At London 2012, he stormed to victory in the 200m T42, earning his first Paralympic Gold medal. He repeated that success at Rio 2016, again taking Gold in the 200m T42, and added a Silver medal in the 100m T42. At the Tokyo 2020 Games (held in 2021), Richard added another Paralympic Silver in the T61 200m. Alongside his Paralympic achievements, he has secured four Gold and one Bronze IPC World Championship medals, and three Gold and one Bronze IPC European Championship medals.
Beyond the track, Richard has proven his endurance in marathons, completing the London Marathon, the New York Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon, where he placed an impressive 23rd in 2013. In one of his most ambitious fundraising efforts, Richard ran 40 marathons in 40 days from John O’Groats to Land’s End as part of his ‘Richard Whitehead Runs Britain’ campaign, raising substantial funds for Sarcoma UK and Scope. He has since become the first Patron of Sarcoma UK, and is also a Patron of the Footprints Conductive Education Centre and the Gedling Sports Partnership. In recognition of his contributions to sport and charity, he was awarded an MBE for Services to Athletics and served as Captain of the Dubai Para-Athletic World Championships team.
As a speaker, Richard combines sporting excellence with a compelling personal story. He speaks passionately about resilience, inclusion, wellbeing, and mental health, urging audiences to focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t. His talks resonate with corporate teams, school groups, and public audiences alike, encouraging people to embrace adversity, uplift others, and push boundaries. Whether inspiring businesses to lead with purpose or motivating individuals to believe in their potential, Richard Whitehead MBE delivers a message of courage, determination, and lasting impact.
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Richard Whitehead's official speaker topics are listed below:
- Resilience and Determination
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Overcoming Adversity
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Achieving Human Potential
- Leadership and Teamwork
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback From Virtual Events & Webinars
"Thanks so much for arranging the call with Richard, super useful and will hopefully speed up the content creation process!" - Martha, Manager, Gravity Road PR
Feedback From In-Person Events
"Just wanted to let you know that Richard was a success yesterday. He is so nice and the story worked well with the theme of the event." - PHD Media Worldwide
"Richard was fabulous last week – he was so inspiring and I know our guests really enjoyed hearing his story." - Natalie, Nottingham Partners
"The event was amazing and I must say Richard was exceptional. He came up top in feedback as the favourite speaker for the day and a lot of comments about being very inspirational." - Emily, Frasers Group
- 2024 – Inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame
- 2024 – World Record Holder at the Chicago Marathon for bilateral knee amputees
- 2024 – World Record Holder at the TCS London Marathon for bilateral knee amputees
- 2021 – Silver medallist in the T61 200m at Tokyo Paralympic Games
- 2019 – Captain of Dubai Para-Athletic World Championship Team
- 2016 – Gold & Silver medallist in 200m & 100m at Rio Paralympic Games
- 2013 – Completed 40 marathons in 40 days from John O'Groats to Land’s End
- 2012 – Gold medallist in the 200m at London Paralympic Games
- 2010 – Broke World Record at Chicago Marathon for lower-limb amputees
- 2006 – Sledge hockey athlete at Turin Winter Paralympic Games
- 4 x Gold medallist, 1 x Bronze medallist at the IPC World Championships
- 3 x Gold medallist, 1 x Bronze medallist at the IPC European Championships
- Patron of Sarcoma UK, Footprints Conductive Education Centre & the Gedling Sports Partnership
- Appointed MBE
How to hire Richard Whitehead
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Richard Whitehead for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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