Our Ambassadors
Meet the deaf athletes helping us raise the profile of deaf athletics and inspire others to get involved.
Our ambassadors share their experiences, celebrate what deaf athletes can achieve and help more people discover the opportunities available through UK Deaf Athletics.
Explore their stories below—from their first steps in athletics to the experiences that have shaped them.
Charlotte Payne
Hammer thrower | Deaf World Record holder | UKDA Ambassador
Hi, I’m Charlotte Payne, a hammer thrower from England, competing internationally for both England and Great Britain. I’m proud to hold the Deaf World Record in the hammer throw and to be a two-time British Champion.
2026 has been a particularly exciting year. I represented Team England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, finishing fourth, and Great Britain at the European Championships in Birmingham, finishing sixth.
I’m profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant in 2024, having worn hearing aids since I was three.
Alongside competing, I enjoy sharing my experiences as a deaf athlete and showing how deafness and elite sport can go hand in hand.
I’m really pleased to be an ambassador for UK Deaf Athletics. I hope to shine a light on deaf athletes, celebrate their achievements and show just how much talent there is within deaf sport.
Oliver Pritchard
Professional triathlete | Deaflympian | UKDA Ambassador
Hi, I’m Oliver Pritchard, a professional triathlete and Deaflympian representing Great Britain in international sport.
My background is in endurance sport, and I compete in middle-distance triathlon. I’m focused on developing my performance and competing at the highest level.
Alongside competing, I’m passionate about promoting Deaf sport and raising awareness of the opportunities available to deaf athletes. I want to encourage more people to get involved at grassroots level and help inspire the next generation.
I’d also love to see mainstream and Deaf sporting organisations work more closely together to create more opportunities for deaf competitors.
Away from sport, I enjoy agriculture, forestry, gardening and spending time outdoors.
As an ambassador for UK Deaf Athletics, I hope to help raise the profile of Deaf sport and encourage more deaf people to pursue their sporting ambitions.