For Team GB’s celebration of Black History Month, Summer and Winter Olympian Montell Douglas is speaking with three Team GB trailblazers about their experiences.
Eva Okaro and Leon Greenwood have already shared their experiences and, in this third and final instalment, Montell talks to Paris 2024 boxer Chantelle Reid.
Montell Douglas: I'm so excited to be speaking to you! Your journey is unbelievably inspiring. From winning junior European gold and then stepping away from sport, to returning six years later and qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your story really truly showcases how setbacks don't define us but it's how we respond to them. So, we're taking it way back and I want to know how did boxing first come into your life?
Chantelle Reid: My dad has coached me from the age of four. I started off in kickboxing and won a world and European gold medal but once I had achieved that European gold medal there was nowhere further to go in kickboxing. It wasn't an Olympic sport and I always wanted to go to the Olympics and so I transitioned to boxing. I thought I would have to start at the bottom and work my way up but when they said I was selected to go to the Junior Europeans I knew that was my opportunity. My first boxing fight was at the Junior Euros and I got a gold.
Montell: Your dad Dwayne was a boxer himself and I'm sure that had the biggest influence on you, and now also your coach. From someone who had a dad coach them from 10 years old in football, that must have been a very unique dynamic that a lot of people don't know about. So how has your family shaped your love for the sport and got you to where you are today?
Chantelle: Having my dad around has been everything to me. He's been there from my first punches and competition in kickboxing to competing internationally in boxing, every step of the way. Honestly, he's such an attention to detail coach and that has made the difference between national and international level. My grandad on my mum's side is also a Level 4 boxing coach and he has had a massive impact on my career as well. It's amazing to get my family involved. They understand the support that I need and have given it to me from such a young age. I really appreciate it and wouldn't be where I am without them.
Montell: Their support is so important and can be especially through tough times. I know you had a tough time when you took a long break from sport after your injury. What was that time like for you and did you ever think you would be back in the ring?
Chantelle: That time of my life was so sad because it felt like I was grieving. I had a degenerative disc disease and the doctor said, it's either have children or box and go to the Olympics. I was thinking about my future and I do want to have children at one point and so thought it must be serious with that choice and so had to come away from the sport. At the start I thought I'd never be able to box again but as time went on my body got stronger. I had that hunger back because I wasn't in pain anymore so I knew I had to go for it.
Montell: I can't imagine the emotions, especially since you said that it was a degenerative disease. Sharing your story really highlights black excellence and how important is it for you to be a part of this wider story of representation in sport?
Chantelle: Black History Month is so important because you get the time to reflect on the people who have paved the way for us and given us the opportunity to go to the Olympics. The opportunities that we have now, you need to be so grateful that we can even compete and take part.
Montell: As a Black British athlete I feel like there is a special experience. When you represent Team GB and wear that flag on your chest, that is representation of the history that we have as black people and our culture, but also the British history and how it is all interwoven. It's so powerful to embrace the differences in us. I want to put you on the spot a little bit because I know how much of a whirlwind the Olympics can be. Were there any moments at Paris 2024 when you just thought: 'I am at the Olympic Games and how many years ago I wasn't even in the sport!'
Chantelle: My coaches actually kept asking me that question! 'Chantelle what would you have been doing four years ago?' And I was literally saying that I was working an office job, and there's nothing wrong with office jobs but I went from literally a 9-5 administration job to being a full time athlete and making my dream come true.
Montell: Something quite unique to your story is that after Paris, you decided to go pro. But then something changed. Can you tell us about that moment and what made you decide to return to Olympic boxing and aim for another Olympic Games?
Chantelle: Yes! My Year 4 teacher actually still works at my old primary school and so she invited me in for an assembly and it was so warming. They put my school photo on the big screen and then put my Olympics picture next to it. Straight away afterwards I was thinking about how I once sat in this exact room dreaming of going to the Olympics. It brought a tear to my eye. We had a Q&A with the children and they asked me why I wasn't doing another Olympics if I didn't have a gold medal. I said I thought would be too old but then it hit me that I can do it. I can go to the next Olympics, get a gold medal and then turn professional. It was just a massive wakeup call and I'm so grateful that Mrs Faulkner invited me back. I'm here and I will qualify for LA and get a gold medal.
Montell: Oooooh, I'm getting goosebumps. That's not just inspirational it's so heartwarming. The fact that your roots brought you back to sport, so well done for being brave and doing this. I am rooting for you!