In a career defined by perfection, Chrissie Wellington has once again been recognised among Britain’s sporting greats. The undefeated Ironman legend has been named on the BBC’s 15-strong shortlist for ‘UK Sportswoman of the 21st Century’ – a public vote celebrating the athletes who have left the deepest mark on British sport since 2000.
For triathlon fans, her inclusion comes as no surprise. Wellington redefined what was possible in Long Distance racing. A four-time IM World Champion, she famously won all 13 full-distance races she entered, a record that includes three victories at the iconic Challenge Roth. Her 2011 Roth world-best performance of 8:18:13 stood untouched for more than a decade, a benchmark that inspired a new generation of triathletes to chase faster, harder, and further.
And yet, Wellington’s impact has always reached beyond finish lines. Through her advocacy for women in sport, inclusive fitness, and initiatives such as the women’s Tour de France, she has shaped opportunities for athletes who followed in her slipstream. Recognition as an OBE in 2016 underlined that her influence extended far beyond medals and records.
Reacting to the news on X, Wellington wrote:
“I’m so incredibly honoured & humbled to be on the @bbc5live Breakfast ‘UK’s sportswoman of the 21st century’ shortlist, alongside a suite of phenomenal, game-changing athletes.
Such an honour and a total surprise to have been included. Sport changed my life and gave me a platform to drive change that I could never have imagined and am so grateful for.”
The shortlist, assembled by a panel of respected voices from across broadcasting, sport, and advocacy, was whittled down from a longlist of over 180 names spanning more than 50 disciplines. The final 15 includes Olympic champions, world-beaters, and trailblazers in women’s sport.
Wellington stands proudly among them: Nicola Adams (boxing), Rebecca Adlington (swimming), Maggie Alphonsi (rugby union), Lucy Bronze (football), Charlotte Edwards (cricket), Jessica Ennis-Hill (athletics), Katherine Grainger (rowing), Tanni Grey-Thompson (para-athletics), Kelly Holmes (athletics), Laura Kenny (cycling), Ellen MacArthur (sailing), Kate Richardson-Walsh (hockey), Ellie Simmonds (para-swimming), Sarah Storey (para-swimming and para-cycling), and Wellington herself representing triathlon.
Public voting runs until 10:00 BST on Friday, 29 August, with the result set to spotlight not just the winner, but the extraordinary breadth of achievement among the UK’s greatest sportswomen.
For triathlon, Wellington’s place on this list is yet another reminder: her dominance may have been unmatched, but her legacy is still unfolding.