Olympic athlete fights for pay-out after life-changing motorbike crash

A British Olympic athlete is fighting for a pay-out to rebuild his life after he suffered career-ending injuries in a motorbike crash in Tenerife. James Ellington, a sprinter in the London Olympics, was a passenger on a motorbike driven by fellow athlete Nigel Levine when it crashed into a car in January 2017.

James, 36, suffered several broken bones in both legs, lost six pints of blood, and fractured his eye socket, pelvis and ankle. The injuries left him unable to compete in athletics for several years and resulted in sponsorships being terminated.

Now, James is claiming compensation from a Spanish motor insurance company after it admitted liability for his damages in the motorbike crash. The athlete said: “I was at the peak of my career when the crash happened and was running faster than I ever had.

"However, life then changed in a split-second. It’s been an incredibly tough few years with a lot of ups and downs.

"While I’m lucky to be alive I’ve always been determined that the collision should not define me and have focused on getting back out on the track. However, if it wasn’t for the collision I’m confident I would have kept on performing at the highest level and would have continued to represent my country at major championships."

The motor insurers, who covered British sprinter Nigel Levine, admitted lability days before a High Court trial. Nigel has not admitted any liability.

James, a 100 metre and 200 metre specialist, won gold medals twice in the relay with Great Britain at the 2014 and 2016 European Championships. After the crash, his right leg had a carbon fibre rod inserted and there are other screws and bolts in his legs.

James has since returned to athletics after his crash and competed in the 2021