Michael Gunning

Last updated

Michael Gunning
Michael Gunning (2020).jpg
Gunning in Australia in 2020
Personal information
National teamFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica
Born (1994-04-29) 29 April 1994 (age 31)
Farnborough, Kent
Website http://www.michaelgunning.co.uk
Sport
Sport Swimming
Strokes Butterfly, Freestyle
ClubStockport Metro Swimming Club

Michael Gunning (born 29 April 1994) is a Jamaican-British competitive swimmer who is best known for participating in the 200 metre butterfly event. He competed in the 200 metre butterfly and the men's 200 metre freestyle event in both the 2017 World Aquatics Championships and 2019 World Aquatics Championships. [1] [2]

Contents

In 2018, Gunning was named Sportsman of the Year in Jamaica for his contribution to sport. [3] He announced his retirement from competitive swimming in 2022 and went on to host the live swimming coverage at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. [4]

In 2023, he was signed as a Speedo International Ambassador. In 2024, he was recognised in the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Sport & Games category. [5] Later that year, in October 2024, he debuted his first documentary as director, producer, and host on Sky Sports, titled Beneath the Surface, which explored LGBTQ+ representation in sport and featured footballer Jake Daniels. [6]

Beyond his decorated swimming career, Gunning has become a recognised presenter and media personality, appearing on programmes including BBC Morning Live and Lorraine on ITV , and has hosted and contributed to major Pride events in London and Manchester, where he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion and mental health awareness. [7]

Early life and education

Gunning was born on 29 April 1994 at Farnborough Hospital in Kent, England. He attended Crofton Infant and Crofton Junior School, where he was presented with the Year 6 Outstanding Student Award by the Petts Wood and District Residents Association. [8]

Gunning started swimming at the age of four and joined Beckenham Swimming Club at the age of seven. [9] He had a big fear of the water as his parents were not strong swimmers, and went onto conquering the fear and qualified for the National Championships at the age of twelve. [10] At thirteen, he won the top award for the best 13-year-old in the county and was identified as having Olympic Potential by the London Regional Development Programme. [11]

Gunning studied at Coopers Technology College , where fellow alumni include comedian Tom Allen and actor Charlie Clement, before graduating from the University of East London in 2018 with first-class honours in Early Childhood Studies. [12]

Career

Gunning made his Team GB debut when he represented England at the LEN European Cup in 2010 and concluded his GB representation at the European University Games in 2016, winning double gold in the 200 metre butterfly and 400 metre freestyle events. [13]

Gunning is a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. [14] Shortly after the event he decided to represent Jamaica; he had been eligible to compete for Jamaica or Great Britain, but wanted to inspire more people in the Caribbean. [15] He competed in the 200 metre butterfly and the men's 200 metre freestyle event in both the 2017 World Aquatics Championships and 2019 World Aquatics Championships and represented Jamaica in the 2019 Pan American Games. [1] [2]

He is passionate about encouraging and inspiring more people of colour to take up swimming and removing the barriers he faced in sport. [16]

Gunning initially secured a selection spot for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ; however, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) revised the qualifying standards and allocated only one "universality place" to Jamaica. As a result, Gunning was not selected to compete at the Games. [17]

Shortly after, he announced his retirement from competitive swimming as arguably the fastest male swimmer in Jamaican history [18] during an exclusive interview with The Guardian . [19] He subsequently hosted the live swimming coverage at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and served as a Pride House Birmingham Ambassador, [20] promoting inclusion and ensuring all attendees felt safe and welcome at the Games, while also contributing to the Commonwealth Sport Pride Network. In 2024, Gunning, a British-born international swimmer, was named to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Sport & Games category, recognising his influential work both in and beyond the swimming pool. [21] The accolade celebrated his impact as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in sport, as well as his contributions to media and youth engagement initiatives across both the United Kingdom and Jamaica.

Later that year, in October 2024, Gunning made his directorial debut with the documentary Beneath the Surface, which premiered on Sky Sports. Serving as director, producer, and host, Gunning explored the challenges and progress of LGBTQ+ inclusion in elite sport. [22] The documentary featured a high-profile interview with openly gay footballer Jake Daniels, offering a rare and candid look into the personal experiences of LGBTQ+ athletes. [23] Beneath the Surface was widely praised for its authenticity and impact, further solidifying Gunning's role as a leading voice for equality and representation in sport-related media.

Gunning has since become a recognised presenter and media personality in both the UK and the Caribbean. He has appeared on popular television programmes including BBC Morning Live, where he supported Dr. Ranj in his challenge to learn to swim for BBC Children in Need in a live broadcast, [24] as well as Steph's Packed Lunch and Lorraine on ITV as a guest presenter. [25]

Personal life

Gunning came out as gay whilst appearing on the reality dating show The Bi Life on E! Entertainment, making him Jamaica's first openly gay athlete on the National Team. [26] During the show, he explained he wanted to inspire more people to be themselves in sport and be a LGBT role model for younger sports people to look up to. [27] He later went on to win the Pride Award at the Attitude Pride Awards 2019 for his efforts to raise LGBTQ+ visibility around the globe in sports. [28]

After retiring from competitive swimming in 2022, Gunning travelled to Jamaica with Tom Daley for BBC One's 'Tom Daley: Illegal to be Me' documentary. When asked about his experiences, [29] he opened up around the bullying and hate messages he's received since coming out as gay, and his goals to support the LGBT community in the future. [30]

Gunning continually champions LGBTQ+ rights and mental health in sport, [31] and has spoken openly about both in multiple media publications. [32] He also became a Kaleidoscope Trust Patron, alongside Tom Daley OBE, Munroe Bergdoff, Dustin Lance Black and Kyle De'Volle. [33] During the Summer of 2022, Gunning officially opened Pride House Birmingham at the 2022 Commonwealth Games [34] and hosted the live swimming events at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

Impact and legacy

Gunning has become a prominent advocate for inclusion, representation, and water safety education. He has worked with the NSPCC on its Childhood Day campaign, highlighting the importance of safeguarding young people and raising awareness around child protection initiatives. [35]

He supported the Royal Life Saving Society UK in its successful campaign to include the Water Safety Code in the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools in England. [36]

As an ambassador for the British Elite Athletes Association (formally British Olympic Association), Gunning works to promote athlete welfare, advocate for minority representation within professional sport, and provide mentoring to emerging talent. He has hosted and contributed to major Pride events in London and Manchester, where he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion and mental health awareness. [37]

Through school visits, national campaigns, and public speaking, Gunning continues to use his platform to champion equality, inspire young people, and improve access to swimming and water safety education in the UK and internationally. [38]

References

  1. 1 2 "Heats results". FINA. Archived from the original on 27 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 "2017 World Aquatics Championships > Search via Athletes". Budapest 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  3. https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/11/25/gay-swimmer-michael-gunning-on-representing-jamaica-and-hitting-the-gay-clubs-with-tom-daley/
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/24/michael-gunning-interview-only-recently-that-ive-been-proud-to-say-im-a-swimmer
  5. https://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-gunning/
  6. https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/retired-swimmer-michael-gunning-debuts-sky-sports-documentary/
  7. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/25/manchester-arena-survivor-marches-in-citys-pride-parade/
  8. "Proud swimmer is reaching for stars". News Shopper. 6 September 2005. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  9. "I'm proud to be a black swimmer - Gunning". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  10. "Michael Gunning hails 'importance' of lessons as part of Big School Swim Week". Swim England. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  11. "Michael's gunning for glory". News Shopper. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  12. "Now and Then, Issue 21 by University of East London - Issuu". issuu.com. 5 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  13. Bandić, Ninoslav. "Swimming: Medals awarded in 14 events". Europske sveučilišne igre Zagreb-Rijeka 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  14. McRae, Donald (24 May 2022). "Michael Gunning: 'It's only recently that I've been proud to say I'm a swimmer'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  15. Brereton, Chris (22 July 2017). "British swimmer Gunnig on why he will represent Jamaica at World Championship". The Mirror. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  16. "Stockport Metro Swimmer Michael Gunning - an inspiration to black people". Onestockport. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  17. "Gay swimmer misses out on opportunity to represent Jamaica at Tokyo Olympics". Jamaica Observer. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  18. Penland, Spencer (30 May 2022). "Jamaican Record Holder Michael Gunning Retires from Swimming". SwimSwam. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  19. "Michael Gunning: 'It's only recently that I've been proud to say I'm a swimmer'". The Guardian. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  20. "Pride House Birmingham Ambassadors". Pride House Birmingham. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  21. Craig, Matt (9 April 2024). "30 Under 30 Europe Sports & Games: Darts Phenom Luke Littler Headlines The Athletes And Entrepreneurs Announcing Their Arrival On The Big Stage". Forbes. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  22. "Beneath the Surface on Sky Sports". Sky. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  23. "Jake Daniels and Michael Gunning: Beneath the Surface". Sports Media LGBT. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  24. "BBC Morning Live – Children in Need segment". BBC. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  25. "Michael Gunning at Lorraine". Shutterstock. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  26. McCallister, Robson (11 March 2022). "'Gay rights should be human rights' - Jamaica's first openly gay athlete speaks out ahead of Birmingham 2022". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  27. Holmes, Jon (29 November 2018). "The Bi Life's Michael Gunning on his swimming dreams, and being LGBT in Sport". Sky sports. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  28. "Exclusive: The Bi Life's Michael Gunning on coming out as gay, castmate crushes, and aiming for Tokyo 2020". Attitude.co.uk. 18 December 2018. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  29. "Tom Daley: Illegal to Be Me, Michael Gunning". BBC. 8 August 2022. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  30. "Tom Daley: Illegal to be Me". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  31. "Mental Health Awareness Week: Michael Gunning and Harry Needs on how 'strength of friendship' is supporting swimmer's Olympics quest". Sky Sports. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  32. "'I used sport to hide my sexuality - but coming out helped me be the real me'". Daily Mirror . 9 December 2023.
  33. "Five high profile patrons join Kaleidoscope Trust". Kaleidoscope International Trust. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  34. "Perry helps get party started as Pride House Birmingham opens at Commonwealth Games". 23 July 2022.
  35. Emily Chudy (31 May 2025). "Swimmer Michael Gunning: 'Sport can be toxic – but everybody deserves to feel safe taking part'". The Big Issue. Retrieved Retrieved2025..
  36. "Water Safety Code included in RSHE statutory guidance". Royal Life Saving Society UK. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  37. https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/08/25/manchester-arena-survivor-marches-in-citys-pride-parade/
  38. “Michael Gunning’s blueprint for resilience, inclusion and high performance”. *Sports News Blitz*. 10 September 2025. Retrieved Retrieved2025..