GB legend Gail Emms braves the Serpentine to help new generation of stars
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 25/09/16 1:49pm
GB badminton legend Gail Emms has admitted the desire to battle through one mile of choppy waters in a cold London lake was nurturing the country's next generation of elite sport stars.
The 2004 Olympic mixed doubles silver medallist was one of 6000 swimmers taking part in 'Swim the Serpentine', a mass open water race in Hyde Park.
Emms, who became world champion alongside her mixed doubles partner Nathan Robertson exactly 10 years ago this weekend, completed the challenge in around 35 minutes to raise money for the charity that helped launch her career.
"I've been a supporter of SportsAid for years - pretty much ever since they started supporting me," Emms told Sky Sports.
Emms retired from badminton after the 2008 Beijing Olympics and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her services to badminton.
Since leaving the world of competitive sport, the mother of two has had time to reflect on how she came to be one of the best known faces in British Olympic history.
"You kind of go on a reflective journey as part of the whole transition process when you retire - as I did eight years ago - and you think of all the people that helped you," Emms explained.
"You don't just click your fingers and get to go to an Olympics. It's a massive journey and SportsAid identify talented kids and help them out with things like new spikes, travel expenses or a bit of extra coaching because they can't afford it.
"This week is fantastic because it helps get the message across that elite athletes aren't just born. It's a lot of hard work, sacrifice and unfortunately money so I thought I'd show my support and do my bit by swimming the Serpentine."
Emms picks out the pride and satisfaction she felt upon arrival at the Athens Olympics as one of the highlights of an illustrious 13-year career which saw her become a European and world champion.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge captured the hearts and minds of the nation by landing a surprise silver medal in the badminton men's doubles.
"There are people that go into events as favourites and achieve like [boxer] Nicola Adams," Emms said.
"But the stories of the underdogs are the real magic of the Olympics and that sums up Chris and Marcus. That was absolutely brilliant. They are two lovely down-to-earth guys and it was a genuine shock, a true underdog story."
