Roger Black

About

Roger MBE is a former British athlete who reached the 400 metre final at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He is also a well-known television presenter and motivational speaker.

During his athletics career, Black won individual silver medals in the 400 metres sprint at both the Olympic Games and World Championships, two individual gold medals at the European Championships, and 4×400 metres relay gold medals at both the World and European Championships.

His greatest individual achievement in track and field was in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta when in the final of the 400m he finished in second place behind Michael Johnson, winning the silver medal in the process.

In 1995 Southampton University gave Black an honorary degree and he was also rewarded by Queen Elizabeth II with an MBE.

In 1998 Black appeared on the children’s news programme Newsround with fellow athlete Iwan Thomas reporting on childhood obesity.

Black has worked regularly for the BBC on programmes such as Tomorrow’s World and Grandstand.

In 2004 he was one of the celebrities that took part in the pro-am dancing contest Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One. And in September 2006, he took part in BBC One’s Celebrity MasterChef programme, reaching the final along with Matt Dawson and Hardeep Singh Kohli.
Black has also written an autobiography, published by Andre Deutsch, entitled How Long’s the Course?

One of the most respected figures in British athletics history, Roger Black is in demand as an after dinner speaker and event host.