Lesley Owusu is an experienced and versatile international athlete who has represented Great Britain at the European, World and Commonwealth stages. Since her childhood days she recalled always being ‘on the run’ when her family and teachers took notice and observed she had a special ‘gift’ to run fast when Lesley was 10 years old. Lesley knew that she was born to run and that running was a sport she was destined to pursue in order to fulfil her ambition of being a World class and an Olympic athlete.
With the support of her family and school Lesley joined the local athletics club (Windsor, Slough and Eton) and her journey as a young track athlete commenced. Lesley started to compete in numerous regional competitions and was very fortunate to receive her first junior international debut when she was just 13 for England which Lesley describes as “an amazing life changing experience”. Lesley continued to make progress in the sprints and challenged herself to always set new personal goals and maintain high standards and discipline.
As an exceptionally gifted and talented junior athlete Lesley won three English Schools Championships in the 200 meters, 300 meters and 400 meters, three national championships in the 400 meters, and was a Silver medallist at the European Youth Olympics before earning a scholarship to the University of Nebraska, USA in 1997 beginning her to intercollegiate athletics career. (NCAA).
Lesley proudly represented the Nebraska Cornhuskers at te University of Neraska for five years and won numerous accolades as one of the most decorated student athletes of her generation. The highlight of her collegiate career was winning the Big 12 Championship 200 metres and 400 metres, a silver medal at the National Collegiate Championships and running the second fastest time in history for the 600 yards (1:17:92 seconds) and setting a new British record in 2001.
Off the track Lesley is multi-talented and enjoys cooking, writing, reading, presenting,teaching, mentoring, public and motivational speaking, painting and decorating, fashion and designing. Lesley is also a published writer, educator and an experienced broadcaster in television and radio. She holds a B.A degree in Broadcast Journalism and Literature and an M.A in Mass Communications and Political Science. Lesley’s ambition has always been to be the ‘fastest moving journalist’ and without a doubt proudly holds this special title.
With over 20 years experience in the sport Lesley has her sights on the London 2012 Games as a target to complete her enduring career in Track and Field.