MTC

Olympic Bronze Medal winner in the 200m Butterfly at Athens 2004 Steve is one of the best known swimmers in the UK.  Now retired from professional swimming Steve has been making a name for himself on our screens.  During the Beijing Olympics Steve was part of the Radio 5 Live Team and was integral to the BBC commentary and presentation teams covering the swimming.  He was also a regular guest on the sofa with Gabby Logan in the popular BBC1 round up shows.

Stephen first joined a swimming club in Woolton and then went on to swim for the Liverpool Penguins and City of Liverpool clubs. He started training seriously when he was 12 but also enjoyed playing cricket and basketball for his school teams. Training became more intense when he was 16 and he decided he wanted to take part in the Junior European Championships. The following year, aged 17, he won the competition for Great Britain and wore his British tracksuit with great pride.

Aged 18 Stephen left the UK to attend Florida State University, studying Marketing and Finance alongside his swimming. He excelled during his time in America, gaining selection for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Team and winning the American collegiate national title.

Stephen was disappointed not to win a medal at the Sydney Olympics finishing in fourth place in the 200m Butterfly.

For the Athens Olympics in 2004 Stephen decided to concentrate on the journey, not just the result and this obviously paid off. He finished ahead of Michael Phelps in the semi-final of the 200m Butterfly race, becoming one of only three people in the world to beat him.

Then in the final on Tuesday 17 August Stephen finished in bronze medal position with a British and Commonwealth record time. The date will be forever engraved on his memory, Stephen says standing on the rostrum in his Great Britain tracksuit and seeing the Union Jack blowing in the breeze was the most unbelievable experience of his life.

He also reported that taking part in the Olympic final was "fascinating, terrifying, I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth and got in there!"

Stephen was the GB Swimming Team captain for the Athens Olympics. His ‘endearing Scouse wit' has been recorded as one of his best features by other team members, along with his affable character, professionalism and great leadership qualities, as Bill Sweetenham eloquantly put;  

"Steve is the epitome of persistence. To be able to stay in the sport as long as he has and win an Olympic medal in your final year says a lot about the resilience and drive of the athlete."

As well as his Olympic medal Stephen also won World and European Championship medals and three Commonwealth medals during his career to make him one of the most successful British swimmers of all time.

Stephen retired from competitive swimming after Athens and now enjoys huge success through his business, Total Swimming, through which he shares his knowledge and supports young swimmers in helping to provide guidance for the Olympic stars of the future.

2009
Radio 5 Live BBC - Presenter & Guest

2008
Northern Athletics BBC North West - Presenter
Beijing Olympics Radio 5 Live reporter
Beijing Olympics BBC1 swimming pundit and commentator
Olympic Specials BBC North West - Presenter
Radio 5 Live BBC - Guest Presenter

MOTIVATIONAL / INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
CORPORATE / AWARDS HOST

Style:

Steve offers a relaxed presentation style which is warm and engaging. He uses his endearing scouse wit to deliver key messages in a clear and concise manner. Audiences naturally take to his laid back approach.

Content:

Team Captain & Bronze Medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics

As a motivational speaker, Steve Parry tells the inspiring story of his Olympic Bronze medal-winning swim in Athens. Taking on World Record Holder Michael Phelps, Steve was on the verge of going out of the Games after a disastrous first round swim.

Turning his performance around took courage but the change in mental approach was crucial. Steve knows how to deal with expectations and has a proven track record as a team leader. As a business owner Steve now uses the skills her learnt in sport in applying them to a new industry.

His focus is on dedication, teamwork, enjoying the journey and having a positive attitude.

Key Points:

• Olympic overview
• Leadership
• Self-Belief
• Teamwork
• Positive mindset
• Succeeding through adversity

Testimonials:

 "I have received brilliant feedback with regards to Steve's presentation and the delegates particularly liked the links Steve made between successful sportsman and the success in the business world.  I was also impressed by the way Steve combined humour and the serious messages which made for a very entertaining and informative hour" 
RBS