Eileen Gray

I am nominating Eileen awarded a CBE and a former Mayor of Kingston who pioneered women's cycling in Britian. She was a major force in women's cycling made an Olympic Sport in 1984 as well as founding the London Youth Games that seeks to benefit thousands of young athletes from each of the Capital's boroughs every year. Eileen served as vice-chair on the British Olympic Committee where she helped to shape the direction of British SPort. Growing up in the thirtys it was her family doctor who noticed that cycling had made her different from other people. Cycling gave her the freedom to go placesand see things she wouldn't have seen otherwise. Eileen went on to become a top class cyclist and was one of the first 3 women to cycle for GB. She also founded the Women's Cycle Racing Association and served as president for 13 years before being elected president of the British Cycling Federation also for 13 years. Eileen received a Special Award from UCI for outstanding services to the sport. She has also held several other public offices, including deputy Commandant of the Olympic Team. She has opened the doors of opportunity for so many other people for generations. While she had never been a supported athlete herself, she has derived very little personal benefit for her efforts other than having the satisfaction of having taken on the Kingmakers and seen many of them portray her success as their own.