Speakers Profile - Steven Bradbury

Travels From:
Brisbane

Fee Range: E

Speed skater Steven Bradbury created history in Salt Lake City when he became the first Australian to win a Winter Olympic Gold Medal.

His remarkable and unlikely victory was achieved after a spectacular final-lap spill took out his four rivals. Bradbury threw his arms up in disbelief and smiled as he crossed the finish line.

The four-time Olympian hails from sun-drenched Brisbane, and followed his father into the sport. He was a member of the 5000m relay team that won Bronze in Lillehammer- Australia's first Olympic medal.

He has helped finance his skating career through his partnership Revolutionary Boot Company- manufacturers of speed skating boots. Among his clients is Apollo Anton Ohno, ironically the favourite for the race Bradbury won.

His gold medal win was not entirely as fortuitous as many would believe. Bradbury knew his limitations and also the unpredictable nature of short track racing. Half the battle is staying on your blades, and Bradbury did just that, right when it really counted.

Dubbed "the luckiest gold medallist", Bradbury won fans the world over for the honesty and humility he showed after the win. He saw his victory as reward not for one race, but for a decade of hard slog that has included more than his share of misfortune.