{"id":214469,"date":"2025-11-22T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T06:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/22\/london-2012-legend-now-does-something-completely-different-after-team-gb-heroics\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T06:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T06:30:00","slug":"london-2012-legend-now-does-something-completely-different-after-team-gb-heroics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/22\/london-2012-legend-now-does-something-completely-different-after-team-gb-heroics\/","title":{"rendered":"London 2012 legend now does something completely different after Team GB heroics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_9ae52b\" data-testid=\"leadtext\" publication=\"mirror\">Team GB legend Greg Rutherford, who turned 39 on Monday, is one of Britain&#8217;s most successful ever Olympians but has faced heartbreak and injury since retiring<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"LightboxBtn_lightbox-btn__eoxYS\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36271563\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageEmbed_fig-caption__qotOK\"><span class=\"ImageEmbed_camera-style__Qjeby\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_209_94274)\"><path opacity=\"0.16\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14 4H2V10.6667C2 11.403 2.59695 12 3.33333 12H12.6667C13.403 12 14 11.403 14 10.6667V4ZM8 10C9.10457 10 10 9.10457 10 8C10 6.89543 9.10457 6 8 6C6.89543 6 6 6.89543 6 8C6 9.10457 6.89543 10 8 10Z\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\"\/><path d=\"M2 3.33331H14V11.3333C14 12.0697 13.403 12.6666 12.6667 12.6666H3.33333C2.59695 12.6666 2 12.0697 2 11.3333V3.33331Z\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"2\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M11.3332 1.33331L12.6665 1.33331\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_209_94274\"><rect width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-title__FSINC\">Greg Rutherford has had a challenging last few years<\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-credit__uNiU6\">(Image: Greg Rutherford\/ Instagram)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Greg Rutherford, the 39-year-old former long jumper, will forever be remembered in British Olympic history. He famously clinched gold at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/london-2012-olympics\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">London 2012<\/a>, contributing to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/team-gb\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Team GB&#039;sLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Team GB&#8217;s<\/a> unforgettable &#8216;Super Saturday&#8217;, where they bagged six gold medals, alongside <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/jessica-ennis-hill\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Jessica Ennis-Hill<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/mo-farah\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mo Farah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He also claimed bronze at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/rio-2016-olympics\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Rio 2016<\/a> and, in 2015, became only the second man ever to hold Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles at the same time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/greg-rutherford\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Rutherford<\/a> remains one of Britain&#8217;s most cherished Olympians. But since retiring from competitive sport, he has endured severe setbacks, profound personal loss and forged an unexpected second career as a wellness entrepreneur.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">After stepping away from athletics, Rutherford focused on television. He reached the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/strictly-come-dancing\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> final in 2016 and returned to competitive ice in 2024 as a participant on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/dancing-on-ice\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Dancing on Ice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Tragically, disaster struck just hours before the final. During rehearsals, Rutherford attempted a lift with his professional partner Vanessa James. He slipped straight through her legs at speed, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/dancing-ices-greg-rutherford-opens-34511483\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">tearing all his abdominal muscles<\/a> off the bone in what he later described as &#8220;effectively giving myself a C-section without anaesthetic.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_9e9510\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/3am\/celebrity-news\/greg-rutherfords-wife-susie-says-36107210\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36107210\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greg Rutherford&#8217;s wife Susie says she lets neurodivergent son take &#8216;days off school\u2019<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_9e9510\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/olympics-sports-club-mark-wright-33262590\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33262590\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Greg Rutherford and Mark Wright lead transformation of local sports facility<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Surgeons spent hours operating to reposition his organs. The injury forced him to leave the competition and left him facing months of intense recovery.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The physical damage was severe but worse news followed. Just weeks later, in April 2024, Rutherford and his family were devastated to learn that their beloved dog Gus had terminal cancer. The loyal pet, a constant presence in Greg&#8217;s life, passed away only days after the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;I am utterly heartbroken,&#8221; Rutherford wrote at the time. &#8220;We&#8217;ve had a really tough week as a family finding out Gus had cancer. He sadly passed away last night and I just feel numb. Between the tears and pain of missing him so much, I&#8217;m longing to see his silly face or feel him rest his head on my feet or lap.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"LightboxBtn_lightbox-btn__eoxYS\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36271443\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36271443\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.45\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_gold-medals-460-image-4-973057703.jpg\" alt=\"Greg Rutherford in action in the Men's long jump\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_gold-medals-460-image-4-973057703.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_gold-medals-460-image-4-973057703.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271443.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_gold-medals-460-image-4-973057703.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageEmbed_fig-caption__qotOK\"><span class=\"ImageEmbed_camera-style__Qjeby\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_209_94274)\"><path opacity=\"0.16\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14 4H2V10.6667C2 11.403 2.59695 12 3.33333 12H12.6667C13.403 12 14 11.403 14 10.6667V4ZM8 10C9.10457 10 10 9.10457 10 8C10 6.89543 9.10457 6 8 6C6.89543 6 6 6.89543 6 8C6 9.10457 6.89543 10 8 10Z\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\"\/><path d=\"M2 3.33331H14V11.3333C14 12.0697 13.403 12.6666 12.6667 12.6666H3.33333C2.59695 12.6666 2 12.0697 2 11.3333V3.33331Z\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"2\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M11.3332 1.33331L12.6665 1.33331\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_209_94274\"><rect width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-title__FSINC\">Greg Rutherford famously won gold in the long jump at London 2012<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;Gus has been such an important part of our lives. For me he&#8217;s been my training partner and best mate. Every steps session, every run, every bike ride and walk. He was always with me. I&#8217;d talk out my plans to him like he understood and be greeted by a happy paw or lick and was always happy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;They&#8217;re never just pets, they&#8217;re everything good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The double blow left the usually upbeat athlete feeling low as he coped with grief and the demands of rehabilitation. Yet Rutherford has demonstrated the same determination that carried him to Olympic glory in 2012. Now fully healed, he has channelled his energy into a promising new business venture.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"LightboxBtn_lightbox-btn__eoxYS\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36271445\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36271445\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.43\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271445.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_The-red-carpet-at-the-2024-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg\" alt=\"Greg Rutherford and Susie Verrill\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271445.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_The-red-carpet-at-the-2024-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271445.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_The-red-carpet-at-the-2024-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36271445.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_The-red-carpet-at-the-2024-Pride-of-Britain-Awards.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageEmbed_fig-caption__qotOK\"><span class=\"ImageEmbed_camera-style__Qjeby\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_209_94274)\"><path opacity=\"0.16\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14 4H2V10.6667C2 11.403 2.59695 12 3.33333 12H12.6667C13.403 12 14 11.403 14 10.6667V4ZM8 10C9.10457 10 10 9.10457 10 8C10 6.89543 9.10457 6 8 6C6.89543 6 6 6.89543 6 8C6 9.10457 6.89543 10 8 10Z\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\"\/><path d=\"M2 3.33331H14V11.3333C14 12.0697 13.403 12.6666 12.6667 12.6666H3.33333C2.59695 12.6666 2 12.0697 2 11.3333V3.33331Z\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"2\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M11.3332 1.33331L12.6665 1.33331\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-primary-default)\" stroke-width=\"1.33333\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_209_94274\"><rect width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-title__FSINC\">Rutherford has three kids with partner Susie<\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-credit__uNiU6\">(Image: Rowan Griffiths \/ Daily Mirror)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">In 2023, together with fellow Olympian Andrew Steele, he purchased Aila \u2013 a premium matcha-based superfood company. Their plant-based, all-natural blends are designed as healthier alternatives to artificial pre-workouts, packed with matcha, beetroot, spirulina and other superfoods for long-lasting energy and focus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Now co-CEOs, Steele and Rutherford said they had been considering opportunities in the natural nutrition sector for &#8220;some time&#8221; before discovering Aila, which Steele said impressed them with its taste and market positioning as a better-for-you D2C [direct-to-consumer] brand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Rutherford is in a long-term relationship with partner Susie Verrill, with whom he has three children: Milo, Rex and Daphne. In 2023, they shared that one of their sons had been diagnosed with autism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/team-gb-greg-rutherford-injury-36271446\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Team GB legend Greg Rutherford, who turned 39 on Monday, is one of Britain&#8217;s most successful ever Olympians but has faced heartbreak and injury since retiring Greg Rutherford has had a challenging last few years(Image: Greg Rutherford\/ Instagram) Greg Rutherford, the 39-year-old former long jumper, will forever be remembered in British Olympic history. He famously [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214470,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[66573,57662,62807,51136],"class_list":{"0":"post-214469","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics","8":"tag-greg-rutherford","9":"tag-london-2012-olympics","10":"tag-strictly-come-dancing","11":"tag-team-gb"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214469"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214469\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}