Emily Campbell Secures Bronze for Team GB in Paris 2024: A Trailblazer for British Weightlifting

In a triumphant close to Team GB's journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Emily Campbell captured a well-deserved bronze medal in weightlifting, securing the final medal for Great Britain. Campbell’s performance in the +87kg category not only added to her Olympic legacy but also reinforced her role as a trailblazer for British weightlifting.

Campbell's road to the podium in Paris was marked by dedication and resilience. Having self-funded her way to a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, she has become a symbol of perseverance in the sport. Her historic achievement in Tokyo brought much-needed attention to British weightlifting, which now enjoys National Lottery funding. This financial support has enabled a group of seven athletes to train full-time, access top-tier coaching, and benefit from advanced medical care.

Despite being the sole British weightlifter to qualify for Paris 2024, Campbell remains optimistic about the future of the sport in the UK. “It would be lovely to have some friends here with me,” Campbell said after her bronze medal win. “We’ve got some really good juniors coming up, they’re working hard, and hopefully, they can see me on the podium and be like, ‘You know what, she’s gone and done it again, we can do this.’”

Campbell's success in Paris is not just a personal triumph; it is a beacon of hope for the future of British weightlifting. She holds a high opinion of 26-year-old Fraer Morrow, the British record holder at 55kg, who had to withdraw from the Paris Olympic qualification process due to back issues. Campbell's accomplishments are paving the way for athletes like Morrow and others to make their mark on the international stage.

Looking ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Campbell is determined to ensure that she is not the only British weightlifter representing Team GB. “The conditions are now in place for that not to be the case at LA 2028 and beyond,” she remarked, underscoring her commitment to nurturing the next generation of British lifters.

As the last medalist for Team GB at Paris 2024, Emily Campbell’s bronze was a fitting end to a successful Olympic campaign. Her journey from self-funded athlete to Olympic medalist has inspired countless others and solidified her status as a pioneer in British weightlifting. Campbell’s dedication to the sport and her efforts to elevate British weightlifting will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy.

As Campbell continues to blaze a trail, the future of British weightlifting looks brighter than ever. Her achievements at Paris 2024 not only brought home another Olympic medal but also set the stage for the emergence of new talent, ensuring that the sport will continue to thrive on the world stage.