Mirror Books scoops GB athlete Onuora's 'fearless' story

Mirror Books has scooped My Hidden Race, the life story of Team GB athlete Anyika Onuora, which promises to reveal the “brutal reality” of professional sport for many Black females.

The publisher bought world rights from David Luxton at David Luxton Associates, for publication on 31st March 2022.

Its blurb explains: “My Hidden Race is the story of Olympic medallist Anyika Onuora, who stood on the podium at every major championship in athletics. This book won't go into detail about the technicalities of her sport or the beauty of the Olympic spirit, however. In the era of the Black Lives Matter and Me Too, this is an unflinching testimony of what it takes to pursue your dreams as a Black British woman against all odds. This three-time Olympian will lift the lid on the reality of life as a Black female athlete in Britain in a way that nobody else has done before her. Nothing is off the record. She is revealing her life for the first time in this book, with complete fearlessness. There have been far too many years of silence caught in a system. Now Anyika is determined to make up for lost time and use her story to inspire and heal others.”

Onuora said: “Writing this book has been one of the most painful, but also rewarding experiences of my life. I spent the last two decades of my life as a professional athlete, reaching the top of my sport. On the track I felt free, but off it, I was carrying weight that I eventually could no longer hold. In this book, I will show the often brutal reality of life as a Black female athlete, far beyond the podium and the flashing cameras at the finish line. Despite experiencing insufferable pain, I kept pushing the limits on what was considered possible, both as an athlete and as a woman.

“For so many years, I was unable to tell my full story, for fear of destroying my career and even my life. Those days are over, and I’m tired of waiting. In My Hidden Race I have revealed my truth, and my great hope is that I will inspire others to do the same.”

M.d. of Mirror Books Steve Hanrahan added: “Some of the awful things Anyika has had to live with are hard to take. But her unbreakable spirit, natural ability and determination make her a true Olympian on and off the track. She is an incredibly strong woman with a voice that will resonate and we are delighted to be working with her on this extremely important book.”