As part of Black History Month, Team England have been sharing conversations between their Black athletes and board members to celebrate the incredible part that Black culture has to play in our diverse country.


Adelle Tracey and Ola Abidogun both competed for Team England at the 2018 and 2010 Commonwealth Games respectively, and both shared their experiences of competing for Team England, as well as their views on role models, stereotypes and Black History Month.

"The Commonwealth Games in Delhi is actually my favourite event that I've ever done," said Abidogun, who competed in the T47 sprinting event in 2010, before going on to win bronze two years later at the London Paralympics.

"As not only a par-athlete, but a Black para-athlete, it was first time I was ever in any kind of limelight, and I probably look on it as the most enjoyable thing I've ever done.

"It set up the rest of my career going forward because it gave me the confidence I needed, but also just being around a tonne of other Black athletes, I felt massively included."

Tracey was also involved in London 2012, where she was selected by Dame Kelly Holmes to be a torchbearer.

Six years later, Tracey made her Commonwealth Games debut on the Gold Coast in the 800 metres event.

"The Commonwealth Games was an amazing experience for me. I think because I hadn't been part of a Games where you have so many different sports, there was a real sense of unity, and with that came a lot of pride.

"To be able to perform on the same stage as all those other different sports, and share their journey's and their successes, it was just really fun to be honest.

"But I definitely felt that great sense of pride and unity, for sure."

To keep up to date with all the Team England athletes in the lead up to Birmingham 2022 follow Team England on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.