Tokyo Olympics: UK Medallist Emily Campbell Refused Sponsors Due To Clothing Size
Joanna Freedman
Featured Image Credit: PA
The Tokyo Olympics saw UK's Emily Campbell swoop up our first ever medal in the weightlifting category last night, making history as she lifted a total of 283kg.
The athlete, 27, wowed as she made clean and jerk lifts of 156kg and 161kg retrospectively, beating US' Sarah Robles who took home the bronze, and solidifying herself as one to watch as she made her Olympic debut.
She was already a big name, with a European gold in the bag from back in April, and a bronze from the Commonwealth Games three years ago.
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But despite her sporting success, and the hopes that were behind her, the Nottingham-born sporting star has admitted she previously failed to get sponsors or ads from sports brands, because of her clothing size.
And what's more, brands have even pulled out of deals to work with her because of her physique.
Many leading sportswear brands don't go beyond a size 16, which can cause a big issue for athletes like Emily, and also prevent many others from getting involved in the sport in the first place.
Before the Tokyo Olympics, she told BBC Sport that she was determined "to prove that women who look like me can have successful careers in sport".
And that she did, lobbying brands to be more inclusive, and even being asked to come and try out Gymshark's larger sizes once she's back from Japan.
Here's hoping there are a lot of brands regretting their decisions not to work with Emily today...
Emily was watched in the Olympics by her mum Linda and her sister Kelsie, who jetted over from Florida to catch her bagging silver.
"This has been the most special day of my life. That's my big sister. She's my rock," Kelsie told the BBC.
"The message from her is you can be successful and be anything you want if you put your mind to it.
"She comes from a home of grafters - from parents who haven't always had the world but found a way to make it happen.
"She can be an inspiration to kids."
Did you hear that, sports brands? We suggest you give Emily a ring ASAP...