Lizzy Yarnold
A former heptathlete who transferred her raw power to ice, becoming Britain's most decorated Winter Olympian through sheer force of will.
Born 1988 (age 38)·British former skeleton racer·Birthday: October 31·Millennials
Biography
Lizzy Yarnold did not grow up dreaming of skeleton; she was identified by a talent search program at age 19. Her background in heptathlon provided a formidable athletic base, but the mental challenge of hurling herself head-first down a frozen track was immense. With a methodical, driven approach, she mastered the technique at a staggering rate. Her 2014 Sochi gold was a breakthrough for British skeleton. Defending her title in Pyeongchang in 2018 was an epic battle against illness and vertigo, a victory of pure grit that saw her overcome dizziness between runs. Yarnold's career is a story of engineered excellence, proving that with the right mindset, a champion can be built from scratch.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lizzy was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lizzy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Lizzy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- The first British athlete to retain a Winter Olympic title, winning skeleton gold in 2014 and 2018.
- Won the overall Skeleton World Cup title in the 2013–14 season.
- Became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2014 and was promoted to OBE in 2019 for services to sport.
Did You Know?
She was discovered via the UK Sport 'Girls4Gold' talent identification campaign while she was working as an estate agent.
She suffered from bouts of vertigo during her successful 2018 Olympic title defense.
She is an ambassador for the charity 'Switch the Play', which supports athletes transitioning out of professional sport.
“I just kept thinking, 'I can do this, I can do this.' It was the hardest thing I've ever done.”
