News Editor
Anna Morris, a 29-year-old from Cardiff, has made an extraordinary leap from being a qualified doctor to a three-time world champion and Olympic medallist in cycling. Just three years ago, Morris was watching the Tokyo Olympics from the hospital where she worked, and now she is celebrating new victories on the world stage.
At last week’s World Track Championships in Denmark, Morris played a pivotal role in securing another gold medal for the women’s team pursuit, adding to their 2023 title. In a surprising turn, she also claimed gold in the individual pursuit, her first title in that category since winning the university championship five years ago.
“I haven’t even won Nationals,” Morris admitted to BBC Sport Wales. “I was in shock when I crossed the line and I’m still feeling a bit shocked now.”
Growing up in north Cardiff, Morris lived just minutes from the Maindy Velodrome, a launching pad for cycling champions like Geraint Thomas and Elinor Barker. However, her early passion lay in gymnastics, where she would dedicate up to three hours of training after school. Her childhood cycling experience was limited to conquering a small hill on her way to the supermarket, but even then, her determination shone through.
While pursuing a medical degree at the University of Southampton, Morris began attending spin classes for fitness. It wasn’t until her second year that she experienced her first track sessions at Calshot Velodrome, sparking her competitive spirit. This led to her first taste of competition at the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) championships, where her success garnered support from Welsh Cycling. Yet, fitting training into her demanding medical career was a challenge.
“It would just be like ‘if I could train, I would do it’,” Morris explained. She managed only eight hours of training a week, which often decreased during busy work periods. To train longer, she would use her annual leave, often booking cycling trips to Majorca or training at home.
By 2021, as the Tokyo Olympics approached, Morris made the decision to pause her medical career and focus on securing a spot for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. “Going full time made a huge difference, particularly in terms of recovery,” she noted, highlighting the benefits of better managing her nutrition and training schedule.
Her dedication paid off when she medalled in all three endurance events at the National Championships in January 2022, solidifying her place at the Commonwealth Games. The experience of competing in front of roaring crowds was unparalleled, and she credited Welsh Cycling for the support and coaching that helped her gain international racing experience.
Her talent did not go unnoticed, as she was selected for the European Championships in August 2022 and later offered a full-time contract with Great Britain cycling, once again putting her medical career on hold.
Morris was part of the women’s team pursuit squad that won the world title in Glasgow in 2023 and subsequently earned a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Her recent triumphs include a second world title in the team pursuit and her first major individual title last week, where she astonishingly defeated four-time world champion Chloe Dygert.
“I don’t think I could have ever imagined being world individual pursuit champion,” Morris said. She described her initial ride as exceeding expectations and noted the confidence it gave her for the second ride. Despite her win, she acknowledged Dygert’s exceptional talent.
Morris clinched the victory by just over three-tenths of a second, earning praise from Sir Chris Hoy, who hailed her aerodynamic position on the bike as “textbook.” Morris credits her success to hard work and consistency rather than any secrets, emphasizing the connection between her medical background and cycling, particularly in understanding her body’s physiology and nutrition.
While she intends to eventually resume her medical career, Morris is focused on seizing the opportunities in sport. “There are no guarantees in sport,” she remarked, “But at the moment the opportunities are still there. So I’m keen to keep exploring.”
