James Cracknell To Turn From Sport To Politics

The Chiswick-based double Olympian wants to become Euro MP

Double Olympic rowing medallist James Cracknell, who lives in Chiswick, has confirmed that he is considering a change of career to become a member of the European Parliament.

He will stand as the prospective Conservative candidate for the South West if he succeeds in being selected for the constituency to fight the European elections in May 2014.

He needs to win third place on the Conservative list if he is to stand a chance of replacing the retiring MEP Giles Chichester.

James pictured with wife Beverley

If he succeeds he will be the second prominent Olympian to take to politics. Lord Coe came Conservative MP for Falmouth before he went on to lead the London Olympic Games last year.

This weekend he is expected to run in a marathon to raise funds for the Headway charity of which he is vice-President. In July 20, 2010, James had his skull smashed by the wing-mirror of a petrol tanker in Arizona as he was trying to cross the US from East to West in sixteen days. He received severe brain damages, his frontal lobes were crushed and it was touch and go for a while whether he would survive.

James made a remarkable recovery but when he returned home, his wife, TV presenter Beverley Turner discovered he had changed and suffered mood swings and memory loss.

The couple published ‘Touching Distance’, last December, their account of the way in which Jame's accident has impacted on their relationship and family life.

Beverley said in an interview (December 2012) to ChiswickW4.com; “Part of the reason for writing the book was to help others in similar situations. I hope it will be a bit of a handbook for families of people who have had similar accidents. I know doctors and nurses have already recommended it and we’re getting about 30 letters or emails every day from people who are at home caring for brain-injured family members.”

“I just want people to know that they’re not alone whatever their situation. If the book can help others not to feel isolated, then that’s fantastic”, she says.