Roger Black

Roger Black is one of Britain’s most successful athletes, a three-time Olympic medallist and former European and Commonwealth champion. Best known for his achievements in the 400m and 4x400m relay, he collected fifteen major international medals during his career, including nine golds. His crowning moment came at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where he won silver in the 400m final behind Michael Johnson, confirming his place among the world’s elite sprinters. Today, Roger is a respected executive coach and co-founder of BackleyBlack LLP, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and businesses reach peak performance.

Roger’s route into athletics was unconventional. Originally studying medicine, he left university to focus full-time on sprinting after joining an athletics club and quickly realising his potential. At just 19, he announced himself on the international stage by winning the 400m at the 1985 European Junior Championships. One year later, he stormed to victory at the European Championships in Stuttgart, breaking the British record with a time of 44.37 seconds. Over the next decade, Roger became a mainstay of the British team, winning medals at European, World, Commonwealth, and Olympic level.

His consistency and resilience shone through during a career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level. He was part of the iconic British relay squad that won gold at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo and struck double gold at the 1990 European Championships. His versatility and leadership helped Great Britain challenge the dominance of the United States across the 400m and relay events. Appointed MBE in 1992 for services to athletics, Roger’s longevity in the sport is a testament to his dedication, discipline, and competitive spirit.

Since retiring from competition, Roger has forged a successful career away from the track. He became a familiar face on television, appearing on BBC programmes such as ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and ‘Grandstand’, as well as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Celebrity MasterChef‘. In 2008, he co-founded BackleyBlack LLP with fellow Olympian Steve Backley, using lessons from elite sport to guide organisations through challenges and unlock peak performance. As a speaker, Roger inspires audiences with his experiences of resilience, teamwork, and achieving under pressure, leaving a lasting impact wherever he speaks.