Her performances on the waters in Tokyo are inspiring the next generation of Team GB Olympians – but now Olympic gold medal contender Hannah Mills is also helping to educate the sporting world about sustainability.
Mills is on track to win another Olympic medal in Tokyo alongside teammate Eilidh McIntyre, having won silver at London 2012 and gold in Rio five years ago.
And it’s not just her sailing prowess catching the eye, with Mills helping to inspire youngsters on the environment thanks to a new RYA Sailing Sustainability initiative.
Growing up in Cardiff, Mills, who is also focussing on ‘Challenge 6000’ as well, which is an attempt to remove 6000 pieces of litter from the sea during the Olympics, always had an interest in the health of the ocean and helped launch the ‘Big Plastic Pledge’ last year, with the aim to act and unite the sporting world to help tackle single use plastic.
Mills has also supported RYA’s Sailing Sustainability campaign, which has goals to address key international concerns about the environment, believing the power of sport can be a platform for social & environmental good.
National Development Officer of RYA, Cymru Wales, Ruth Iliffe, has been an integral part of the campaign and thinks the sport of sailing could help influence big changes.
Iliffe said: “Young people today are very switched on to environmental issues so as a sport, we have something they could be part of and help to change.
“Sailing is a great way to get the message out and take responsibility for the environment and Hannah has played a massive role in that.
“When our sailors are doing well, and we’re part of the Olympics – it inspires people to do something different.”
Mills still has two races left at the Olympics and according to her training partner Amy Seabright and triple Olympian Bryony Shaw – she has the experience to deliver gold.
Shaw said: “We are all rooting for Hannah and we hope her experience will see her through to achieve a medal in Tokyo.
“I certainly witnessed first-hand a new level of awareness about sustainability in sailing and I know that Hannah has been passionate about the Big Plastic Pledge.
“We’re out there on the oceans and we see this rubbish and polluted marinas across the world - it’s heart breaking.
“The Olympics is a great movement and the fact that in the UK, sailing gets supported byNational Lottery funding through UK Sport means athletes have a solid career and can help inspire that next generation.”
Seabright added: “I think the more we can link sailing and sport to initiatives like the Big Plastic Pledge, the better.
“The wider message that Hannah has got beyond just being an athlete in terms of sustainability shows she is the right person for the job. To be able to do that and get so many people involved in a movement is amazing and so inspiring.”
Mills’ brother and Cardiff Bay Yacht Club coach, Richard, has also supported these campaigns and is passionate about using sailing to influence the next generation in sport and for the environment.
“I think it’s great for kids to see people who they idolise, like Hannah, actually trying to take the lead and show the right way forwards,” Richard said, who has seen first-hand with his sister Hannah how National Lottery players’ support of Team GB is vital and how through playing The National Lottery they have helped transform the fortunes of Team GB over the past two decades as well as supporting good causes including community sailing initiatives.
“We have kids here who are all trying to do more because they’ve seen these idol athletes talk about the environment and it inspires the next generation to do something as well.
“We’re getting young kids from grassroots into sailing, and we want it to be safe for them. Stars like Hannah putting the spotlight on it is really important for sailing campaigns around the world.”
The National Lottery players’ support to Team GB is vital. Through playing The National Lottery they have helped transform the fortunes of Team GB over the past two decades as well as supporting good causes including community sailing initiatives.