A swimming superstar from Petts Wood has been listed in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list as part of Europe’s Sport and Games Class of 2024.

International swimmer and trailblazer Michael Gunning announced his retirement from competitive swimming in 2022, as arguably the fastest male swimmer in Jamaican history.

He had a long career representing both Great Britain and Team Jamaica, and has also attended the European Championships and two World Aquatic Championships.

He made history by being the first openly gay swimmer in the UK, and is a trailblazer for multiple communities around the world.

Now a media host and motivational speaker, Michael was recently appointed Pride House Ambassador for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, and last week hosted Aquatic GB’s British Olympic Trials in the London Aquatics Centre.

Last year, Michael launched Speedo’s Swim United Campaign to tackle the UK’s swimming crisis – as data showed that a third of children leave primary school being unable to swim.

He was joined by swimming stars Adam Peaty and Ellie Simmonds to launch the pop-up pool program, taking pools to schools, and is on a mission to make a change.

Gunning said: “Swimming is more than just a sport, it’s a life skill and I’m passionate about making a change and showing every young person that swimming is for everyone.

"Who knows, the skill of swimming could save someone’s life one day."

Joining Gunning on the list is 17-year-old darts champion Luke Littler and Mclaren’s F1 Driver Lando Norris.

This year’s class was selected from hundreds of nominations that were evaluated by a panel of judges including Mo Farah, Olympic gold medallist Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief of Women’s Football Rina Onur Şirinoğlu, a cofounder of Spyke Games; and Pontus Eskilsson, vice president of global partnerships at Twitch.