Gail Emms
From: Bedford
Member at: Milton Keynes
Sport: Badminton
Achievements
so far
2006 European Champion ladies doubles
2006 World Champion mixed doubles
2006 Commonwealth Champion mixed doubles
2005 All England Champion mixed doubles
2004 European Champion mixed doubles
2004 Olympic silver medallist mixed doubles
Getting to
know me
Gail Emms, who is a member at David Lloyd Milton Keynes and retired Olympic Badminton player talks to us about sport, family and her experiences as an athlete.Which facilities do you currently use at David Lloyd Leisure?
I use the gym and the swimming pool. Occasionally I play tennis with some friends but I end up getting very competitive and shout a lot so I think they get embarrassed and haven't invited me to play again recently! In the gym I use the Power Plate machines and the cardiovascular machines.
It's all about time as my little boy Harry is in the gym creche for an hour and I have to do the most I can in that time!
When did you first realise you had a talent playing badminton?
I knew that I had a talent for badminton when I played in the Bedfordshire u11 schools tournament and came runner-up when I was about 7 years old. I was beating kids 4 years older than me, which is pretty unheard of at that age. I then represented the county at u12 and I must have looked so small!
What was your ultimate sporting goal when you were younger and did it change throughout your career?
When I was younger, my goal was to beat my mum! It took me until I was 13 to beat her and she sulked. When I was 15 I remember watching the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and wishing I could be an Olympic champion. I thought I would set my sights high!Who is/was the most influential person in your sporting success and why?
There have been many people I can attribute my success to but ultimately it all comes down to my mum, Jan, who I spent many hours trying to beat on the badminton court! She definitely brought out my competitive spirit!
Are you from a sporting family? Do you participate in sport together?
My family are incredibly sporty. My mum was an England women's footballer and played in the 1971 world cup in Mexico (she was centre forward) and she is just an all-round sporty person. My brother Adam was on the books for Luton Town football club and my sister Lisa was a very good hockey player.
How much did your parents guide/encourage you to take up sport?
My parents really encouraged me to try every sport and give everything a go. I loved the challenge of learning something new and sport really installed the qualities of "going for it", "being the best you can be", and "enjoying it" when it came to every activity. I think that is so important and I'm to going to give my little boy every opportunities to try something new when he is growing up. You never know what you're going to like until you try!When you are not playing badminton, how do you choose to relax?
At the moment I love playing with my son! He is 6 months old and such a cutie! He makes me realise what is important in life. But if I get a chance, then I am straight down the shops!! Also I love cooking dinner for my friends. We love doing our own "come dine with me" show
