Anne Wafula Strike - The Story
Born in Mihuu, Kenya, to Nekesa Ruth and Athumani Wafula, Anne was a fit and healthy child before polio struck when she was two years old. She was given the middle name of Olympia at birth, a title of prophetic significance for the future and prescient of hurdles she would face in forthcoming years.
Superstitious villages believed the family were cursed following Anne’s partial recovery from illness, which forced her family into decisions and acts that would change her life forever.
After completing A-levels and graduating from Moi University with a Bachelor of Education degree, Anne taught at Machakos Technical College in Kenya before meeting the man she would marry – which lead her to Britain, motherhood, wheelchair racing, disability advocacy and charity work.
Olympic career and MBE
2004 – The beginning of an Olympic career when Anne was among the first female wheelchair racers from Africa to compete at the Paralympics in Athens.
2006 – Anne became a British citizen and joined Team GB.
2007 – Officially recognised by the Queen at a Buckingham Palace for her work as a disabled athlete and for involvement in charity work for people with disabilities.
2014 – awarded an MBE for her services to disability sport and charitable work.