Olympic legends to speak at MAD//Fest: winning hearts and minds in women’s sport

By Dan Brain, Co-founder + Content Director, MAD//Fest 19 Sep 2019

It’s been a classic summer of women’s sport - a strong showing by the England football team at the Women’s World Cup and victory for England at the Women’s Cricket World Cup have helped to drive unprecedented media coverage, engagement and participation.

So we’re thrilled to be hosting a discussion on winning hearts, minds and medals featuring Olympic Legends Denise Lewis OBE and Michelle Griffith-Robinson on 13 Nov. The session will be hosted by GiveMeSport Head of Women’s Sport Benny Bonsu.  

With a PB of 13:23 in the 100m hurdles, we’re confident Olympic gold medal winner Denise can run faster than anyone else who will be at MAD//Fest this year. Heptathlete Denise is a pioneer in women’s sport, received an OBE in 2001, and has won the Sports Journalists’ ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ award a record three times. 

Meanwhile, with a 14.08m jump to her name, triple jumper Michelle Griffith-Robinson is one of only a handful of women in the UK to have exceeded the 14m mark. After representing GB for two decades, Michelle is now an inspiring coach and mentor.

Interest in women’s sport is at an all time high, attracting large audiences at home and in stadiums across the country - a record 31,213 people attended the recent Man City’s recent 1-0 victory over Man United in the Women’s Super League.

We’re at a landmark moment where women's sport has the potential to inspire, change attitudes and tackle inequality - role models like Denise and Michelle laid the foundations for where we find ourselves today. 

Of course, like any cultural trend, current interest in women’s sport has created an opportunity for brands to align with a positive movement through sponsorship, social media and advertising.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on the future of women's sport and how brands can play a positive role with the legends and leading ladies of British sport.