Dame Sarah Storey Reveals Bullying Led to Anorexia Battle
Britain's most decorated Paralympian shares her struggles with bullying during her teenage years, which led to an eating disorder.
Dame Sarah Storey, Britain's most decorated Paralympian, has revealed that severe bullying during her teenage years drove her to the brink of anorexia.
Storey, who has won 19 gold medals and 30 Paralympic medals in total across swimming and cycling, spoke out about the torment she faced at school. She was targeted not because of her disability, but due to her sporting achievements. The intense pressure and bullying contributed to the development of an eating disorder.
Doctors warned Storey that her health was in serious jeopardy, with one stating she would have to be diagnosed with anorexia if her behavior did not change. This intervention, she noted, could have disrupted her rigorous training schedule.
Recently, Storey has embarked on a new challenge, joining the cast of the popular television show 'Strictly Come Dancing.' She expressed enthusiasm for the prospect of being a novice again, acknowledging that she anticipates being "absolutely terrible" at dancing initially. Producers had previously approached her after the London 2012 Games, but her commitments as a new mother at the time prevented her from participating.
Storey's remarkable athletic career includes numerous accolades, solidifying her status as Britain's most successful Paralympian. She has won gold medals in multiple Paralympic Games, including the women's individual cycling time trial at the Paris 2024 Games and the cycling road race at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in September 2021.
