Martine Wiltshire, MBE (née Wright; born 30 September 1972[1]) is a British sitting volleyball player.[2]

Martine Wright
MBE
Great Britain
LeagueParalympics
Personal information
Born (1972-09-30) 30 September 1972 (age 51)
London
NationalityUnited Kingdom GBR
Career information
CollegeEast London
Playing career2007–present
Career highlights and awards
2012 BBC Sports Personality Helen Rollason Award

Wright, who was born in London, lost both of her legs in the Aldgate underground explosion in the 7/7 London bombings in 2005.[3] She lost 80%[4] of the blood in her body and was in a coma for ten days and had to undergo ten months of surgery following the injury.[5]

As part of her rehabilitation she played wheelchair tennis before focusing on sitting volleyball.[2] Wright was an initial member of the Great Britain women's squad which began playing together in late 2009, making her debut at the 2010 Kent International tournament against Paralympic Champions, China. In July 2012 she was picked to represent Great Britain's women's sitting volleyball team at the sitting volleyball event in the 2012 Summer Paralympics.[1][5]

Wright was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to sport.[6]

Personal life edit

Wright gained a degree in Psychology and Communication Studies from the University of East London in 1996.[1] After the 7/7 bombings she campaigned for better compensation for victims of the bombings and their families and has been an ambassador for sport for disabled people.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Martine Wiltshire". www.paralympics.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Martine Wright's London 2012 dream". Channel 4 TV. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. ^ "7/7 One day in London". www.radiotimes.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Martine Wright". www.guardian.co.uk. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b "London 2012 Paralympics: 7/7 bomb victim Martine Wiltshire announced in GB women sitting volleyball team". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  6. ^ "No. 61608". The London Gazette (Supplement). 11 June 2016. p. B25.