Former Welsh Paralympic cyclist, Mark Lee Colbourne MBE, has previously competed for both Wales and Great Britain in championships across the world. His first taste of sporting competition was playing volleyball at international level for Wales between 1990 and 1993. However, Mark's sporting career, and indeed his life, took a major change of direction when he suffered a near-fatal accident and broke his back in a 35-foot paragliding fall in 2009.
Following his accident, Mark started cycling with Disability Sports Wales, and he went on to compete in the C1 class for riders on upright bikes with the most limiting disabilities. Training with a disabled cycling coach, Neil Smith, Mark made his debut appearance in 2010, at the Wales Cycling Grand Prix. He went on to win his first UCI Para-Cycling World Cup medals in 2011.
In Segovia, Spain, Mark earned a bronze at his first World Cup level race. Going from strength to strength, he went on to win a silver medal at the round in Baie-Comeau, Canada. Mark’s debut World Cup, at the 2011 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships, won him a silver medal. Mark was selected to ride for the Great Britain cycling at the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games and he duly won a silver medal and Great Britain's first medal of the 2012 Paralympics. The pinnacle of his career came in August 2012 when he won a Paralympic Games gold medal in the C1 3km individual pursuit, breaking the world record in the final.
This record-breaking athlete is a world-renowned inspirational speaker, whose presence on the speaking circuit has quickly positioned him as a highly sought-after Olympic speaker. Mark has the ability to host workshops and conferences, ensuring your occasion runs smoothly whilst reinforcing the key themes to your event. Appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013 for services to cycling, Mark’s ability to engage his audience leaves them captivated, inspired and ready to invest their focus on taking action.
With his extensive sporting career, Mark is passionate about offering guests valuable knowledge and skills straight from the perspective of an elite individual. As a speaker, Mark has one main focus - to help audience members embrace change and gain a winning mindset.
