Yvonne McGregor MBE
Olympic and Commonwealth medallist and
world record breaking cyclist, Yvonne McGregor,
graduated with a BA (Hons) Leisure & Recreation
at Ilkley College in 1983.
An accomplished runner who did not take up cycling until
she was 30, Yvonne went on to win medals, including a
Commonwealth Games gold medal at Victoria in 1994
and a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000,
and break world records. Her British 25 mile competition
record, attained in 1996, still stands.
“I was always into sport from being knee-high to a
grasshopper. My brother and sisters were the same. In
1973 we all came first in our individual age groups at
the Bradford Schools Cross Country but I was always
the competitive one. I did cross-country and track from
12. My running was always endurance based and road
racing. Doing a Leisure & Recreation degree seemed a
natural progression.
I remember lecturers Peter Livesey, Les Heywood and
Frank Kew and going to Bingley College for some of
our classes. I was very shy at College and I probably
didn’t get the best out of it as I lacked confidence. I
didn’t know where I wanted my life to go but I didn’t
think I would be fulfilled managing a leisure centre.
After graduation I travelled then drifted into working in
the caring professions where I felt comfortable. I was a
teaching assistant in a psychiatric hospital; worked with
disabled kids and I also worked for Bradford Recreation
Service running youth clubs.
I was always running and competing, just for
enjoyment, keeping fit and as a social activity. Then
I split with my boyfriend and knuckled down to some
serious training and in the late 1980s I ran for England.
I had dabbled in triathlons for a couple of years and got
injured running so I decided to take 6 months off and
just concentrate on cycling.
A chance encounter in a Bradford bike shop with senior
coach, George Robinson, started me training intensively
and success soon followed.
I already had the engine; it
was just finding the right sport. I went to my first World
Championships in 1993 and won a gold medal at the
Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 1994. That gold
medal was the impetus that gave me the belief I could
become world class. From then on my total focus was to
be the best I could be. My road to the Sydney Olympics
was a personal goal. It was just about performance.
During my training I was sometimes close to quitting. I
was living hand to mouth, with no real career, but I had
inner knowing. When I came 4th in the Atlanta Olympics
in 1996 I was 35, and I thought I had missed by last
chance, but I just kept going. I was 39 when I got my
medal at Sydney and bronze was gold to me. I became
world champion on my home track in Manchester 6
weeks later.
I am an ordinary person, Bradford born and
bred. I believe everyone can be a high achiever if they
have the willingness to learn and excel.
I retired from elite sport a year later. I did a Diploma in
Sports Massage & Physical Training and I enjoy working
with the grass roots. I have recently set up a business
Full Cycle.”
Photograph by Shelagh Ward