BBC Sport presenter JJ Chalmers began his media career after surviving life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.
Chalmers was caught in an explosion back in 2011 that claimed the lives of two fellow Royal Marines and injured or traumatised nine others in Helmand Province. The 37-year-old sustained arm and leg injuries, lost two fingers, and had his arm temporarily grafted to his stomach.
The Lance Corporal spent eight weeks in hospital and was faced with a new reality as he came to terms with life outside the marines. However, after watching the 2012 Paralympics, the Scotsman was inspired to enter the 2014 Invictus Games, winning a gold and two bronze medals in recumbent cycling, starting an unbelievable chain of events.
He was a presenter for Channel 4's coverage of the 2016 Paralympics before joining BBC Sport. This summer will be the second time Chalmers has worked at the Olympic Games - and it is a far cry from that fateful day in 2011.
Speaking in 2016, Chalmers told The Sun: “It’s surreal to think five years ago, I had a plan of what my life would look like, and it was Afghanistan and the Marines. That was what I lived for. And then it was all gone in the blink of an eye.
“I went from the most independent guy in the world to nothing. My body was wrecked and I was just a head in a hospital bed. My hands were smashed up, my arm was sewn into my stomach and I felt like I’d never walk again. I couldn’t imagine going home.
“When I finally did, I had no idea how to live or what I could do that I’d care about as much as the Marines, which was everything to me. It’s only when I look back that I realise how lost I was. But watching the Paralympics 2012 opened up an entire world that I never knew existed.
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“I had more in common with those incredible guys than the Olympians — and [in 2016], I’ll be one of the people introducing them to the world. It’s an amazing opportunity and I’m so grateful. But I’ll never forget there were others who never got the chance to become TV presenters or Paralympians. I live every moment of my life for them.”
Chalmers’ broadcast career led to him competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, while also being part of the BBC’s presenting team for several high-profile events, including King Charles III’s coronation. The Invictus Games champion is grateful for the opportunities that sport has given him and is aware that he was fortunate to discover a new career path.
“Who knows what I’d be doing now if I hadn’t been injured in Afghanistan? Whatever it was, it would certainly be very different,” Chalmers admitted in 2016. “But something like that gives you a kick up the a**e to go, ‘I’m not going to take anything for granted’.
“My disability is not who I am but I’m not going to ignore it because it’s made me who I am. It’s made me a stronger person because I have a better understanding of the world and it’s given me this opportunity.
“So I’m going to make sure I use it to build myself up and don’t let it drag me down. I count myself incredibly lucky that in spite of everything, I came home basically the same bloke that I was when I left.”
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2024-07-27T04:29:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd