Victoria Pendleton, the gold medal-winning cyclist, has confirmed that she will take part as a jockey in next week’s Cheltenham festival. Other athletes who have successfully swapped sports include:
Rebecca Romero (rowing and cycling)
Having won an Olympic medal in rowing, Rebecca Romero decided to make the jump to cycling in 2006. She quickly impressed, winning her first cycling world championship medal in March 2007. She became the first British woman to capture Olympic medals in two sports, winning gold in the 3km individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympics.
Denis Compton (football and cricket)
Known primarily for his cricketing abilities, Compton was also a successful footballer. He debuted for Arsenal in 1936 and made his England cricketing bow against New Zealand a year later. Compton had an esteemed career in both sports, averaging 50 with the bat in Tests and winning the 1950 FA Cup. Ian Botham, another cricketing legend, also had a football career, with spells at Scunthorpe United and Yeovil Town during the late 1970s and early 80s.
Michael Jordan (basketball and baseball)
During a short-lived retirement from basketball in 1993, NBA legend Michael Jordan signed to play baseball with the Chicago White Sox, playing for their minor league affiliate the Birmingham Barons. In March 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls.
Curtis Woodhouse (football and boxing)
Woodhouse had a lengthy football career before switching the pitch for the ring. Having fallen out of love with football, Woodhouse made his boxing debut in September 2006, and in February 2014 became British light-welterweight champion. Woodhouse has since returned to football, as manager of non-league Hull United.
Stuart Tomlinson (football and professional wrestling)
In a more unusual sporting career change, former Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson travelled to the US in December 2013 to begin a professional wrestling career. Tomlinson now performs in WWE under the name Hugo Knox and recently made his TV debut.
