Emma George

As a youngster Emma George spent four years performing as an acrobat with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus. Aged 12, Emma left the circus to pursue her love of track and field. Seven years later, Emma spotted a notice at her local athletics club seeking women who were interested in trying their hand at pole vaulting. With a little ambition and a mountain of talent - the rest, as they say, is history.
In a sport which until recently has been largely dominated by men's athletics, Emma has made it her own, becoming number 1 in the world for pole vaulting. This happened soon after she received the first ever Women's Commonwealth Gold Medal.

It is largely due to Emma's success and high profile as a pioneer for women's pole-vaulting, that this sport was included in the 1999 World Championships and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

During her career Emma has rewritten the history books time after time. She has been the world indoor and outdoor record holder since 1995 before losing both of these titles in 2000 to American Stacy Dragila.

Emma's naturally outgoing style conveys a strong message particularly about the need to maintain motivation despite facing adversity. She is a powerful role model for those who set the highest expectations for themselves.