Mark Hunter

Olympic Gold medalist and recent Silver medalist at the London Olympics, Mark Hunter is the personification of sheer determination. Having started rowing at the tender age of 14, it was another 14 years before Mark would realise his dream of standing on the podium at the ultimate sporting event, the Olympic Games.

Having tasted the bitter pill of failure at the Athens Games in 2004, many would have forgiven Mark if he had walked away from the sport he loved. Coming last in any race hurts, coming last in the race that means more to you than all the rest put together can destroy. Mark Hunter emerged from this, the toughest period in his career, stronger, wiser and more determined than ever.

Although a leading lightweight rower, Mark didn’t start to experience real success until 2007. Partnering Zac Purchase in the double, their performance at the World Cup series was rewarded with two silvers and a bronze. A great season was then capped with a bronze at the World Championships in Munich. It was the turning point Mark had been striving for.

2008 brought further success at the World Cup series when the medals turned to gold. With the Beijing Olympic Games on the horizon, Mark was selected in the lightweight double scull. The stage was set for history to be made and Mark did not disappoint. Britain won its first ever medal in the lightweight doubles and Mark realised his dream; he became an Olympic champion.

As an Olympic gold medallist, Mark Hunter brings with him a story of success but, more importantly, he is acutely aware of what it takes to achieve. Sacrifice, failure, hard work, determination and a brutal diet all contribute Mark’s remarkable story. He is a consummate professional, his presentations illustrate the devotion necessary to achieve the goal of Olympic gold. It is a story that has proved to impress, inspire and motivate his audiences.

SPEAKING TOPICS – Sport, Motivation, Teamwork & Leadership