Fatima Whitbread

A world champion from Chadwell

Fatima Whitbread was adopted in her teens by the Whitbread family who lived in Chadwell. She had previously spent much of her life in children’s homes. Margaret Whitbread was a javelin coach who had spotted Fatima’s talent and encouraged her in the sport.

Fatima set a world record at the European Championship in 1986 and in 1987 she became world champion. Despite being injured, she won a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games.

In 2011, she appeared on I’m a celebrity, get me out of here, finishing 3rd. 

More about Fatima Whitbread on Wikipedia  or on the TLHS web site

Comments about this page

Add your own comment

  • Fatima whitbread lived in a childrens home across the estate.my Next door neighbour used to help run the home .what a smll world to be reading about her here 💋

    By Von mccormick (13/12/2019)
  • Can remember getting fatimas autograph in 1984 after the los Angeles Olympics when she lived in chadwell. I still have it

    By Danny Jackson (31/03/2017)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.