Beyond
the medals.

Mark Foster: Olympian, broadcaster, speaker and one of Britain’s most decorated sportsmen.

Mark Foster photographed against turquoise shutters
Mark Foster / A life in and beyond sport 01 — The story
5 Olympic Games
6 World titles
8 World records
51 International medals

By fifteen, Mark was the fastest swimmer in the country. What followed was a 23-year career at the highest level.

Mark is one of the UK’s most successful competitive swimmers. During a career spanning 23 years, he won 51 international medals, competed at five Olympic Games, held World, European and Commonwealth titles and broke eight world records.

In 2008, he carried out the highest honour for a British athlete, as flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, which he cites as one of his proudest moments.

Since retiring from the pool, Mark has forged a successful career as a commentator, TV personality, public speaker, philanthropist and brand ambassador.

Mark Foster carrying the British flag at the Beijing 2008 Olympic opening ceremony

Beijing / 2008

One flag.
A moment
of pride.

Leading the British team into the Olympic opening ceremony remains one of Mark’s proudest moments.

23

Years of dedication

A professional swimming career defined by commitment and achievement.

5

Olympic Games

Competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Health, wellbeing and inclusion

Mark’s professional and personal experience has given him a unique insight into the importance of a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle. He is passionate about encouraging and educating others to make healthier, mindful life choices, via his social media, fundraising and public speaking platforms.

Following his participation on Strictly Come Dancing, Mark launched dance and fitness programme FitSteps™ with dance professionals Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite. He also trains and inspires the next generation of competitive swimmers via the Mark Foster Swimming Academy.

A dedicated philanthropist, Mark is patron of Anaphylaxis Campaign and Regain, in support of tetraplegic athletes. He has also used his public profile to raise awareness for Wellchild, Sports Aid, Movember, The Prostate Cancer Charity and BT Swimathon. Since making the decision to come out publicly in 2017, he is also a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community, promoting compassion, equality and inclusion.

Inspiring, educating, entertaining

Always hungry for a challenge and well-known for his excellent sense of humour, Mark appears as a pundit, panellist and celebrity contestant on television. His experience at the highest competitive level makes him a popular commentator on major sporting events such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

He has appeared regularly on the BBC’s A Question of Sport and taken part in the celebrity versions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, MasterChef, Mastermind and Pointless. He partnered Hayley Holt on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008.

Mark is a professional, knowledgeable, engaging, experienced and compassionate individual who constantly strives to use his experience and public profile to inspire, educate and entertain.

The new book by Mark Foster

My
Double
Life.

Meet the man beyond the medals. Discover My Double Life, the new book by Mark Foster.

Portrait of Mark Foster holding a cup Mark Foster / The next chapter

Beyond the pool

A different
kind of game.

Mark Foster enjoying time on the golf course.

Keep exploring