ISLE OF Wight-born athletics superstar Kelly Sotherton was one Islander left stranded abroad following the shutdown of Heathrow airport.
The 48 year old MBE recipient and triple Olympic medal winner, who now lives in Birmingham, was skiing in Switzerland and was due to return back to London today (Friday).
Read more: Heathrow Airport will be closed all day following electrical substation fire
However, the UK's largest airport was disrupted due to a full-day closure, following a fire at a nearby electrical substation.
Kelly Sotherton after winning bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004.More than 1,300 flights to and from Heathrow were affected, including Kelly's.
On X, the former world number one heptathlete, initially posted: "Oh dear, stuck in Switzerland. I think I can cope."
Read more: Isle of Wight superstar Kelly made MBE in Queen's New Year Honours
Heathrow airport, which is supplied by the substation fire, said it was among those "significantly impacted" by the power outage.
Oh dear stuck in Switzerland ????????
I think I can cope #Heathrow— Kelly Sotherton MBE (@KellySotherton) March 21, 2025
Kelly then showed her frustration over the rebooking of her flight to England tomorrow (Saturday).
"Without me knowing (only option was a refund on app), British Airways rebooked a flight for me @ 1830 back to London Gatwick, not Heathrow, via check in," she posted on X.
"Unable to access any customer service — bought a flight to Birmingham. Now can’t access car park to extend parking, as no-one answering.
"It's like trying to get Oasis tickets all over again!"
Update:without me knowing (only option was a refund on app) BA rebooked a flight for me on Saturday @ 1830 back to LGW, not LHR via check in. Unable to access any customer service, bought a flight to Birmingham. Now can’t access car park to extend parking as no-one answering ???? https://t.co/CJrP2dlr1q
— Kelly Sotherton MBE (@KellySotherton) March 21, 2025
Recognised for her services to track and field athletics, and the promotion of women’s sport, Kelly was appointed the MBE in the 2020 New year's Honours List, but due to Covid, she did not receive it until November the following year.
Read more: Isle of Wight's Kelly Sotherton inducted into England Athletics Hall of Fame
Kelly has also been inducted into England Athletics Hall of Fame, to celebrate her outstanding contribution as a sporting star.
The former athlete was a multi-event specialist, who achieved three Olympic bronze medals, a 2006 Commonwealth Games heptathlon gold medal in Melbourne, as well as silver medal success in world and European indoor pentathlon, and world championship bronze in Japan.
Kelly’s two bronze medals from the 2008 Beijing Olympics were awarded several years later, following revelations Russian competitors had cheated, using performance enhancing drugs.
Following her retirement from athletic, due to a back problem, the Islander worked to help others into sport and established the British Athletics 'Athlete to Coach' programme.
