In Support of Jamie Baulch: A Call for Constructive Media Engagement for UK Sports Stars
2 minutes Jamie famously won the 400 metres gold medal at the 1999 World Indoor Championships and was a member of the British 4 × 400 metres relay team.
As proud partners of Jamie Baulch, with him being our Athletics Brand Ambassador, we at betting.bet feel compelled to address the recent media story of his minor speeding fine. This story, unfortunately skewed towards sensationalism, contrasts the ethos of constructive journalism and detracts from the impactful aspects of Jamie's life, both as an athlete and a philanthropist. Jamie famously won the 400 metres gold medal at the 1999 World Indoor Championships and was a member of the British 4 × 400 metres relay team.
Jamie Baulch is not just a celebrated Welsh athlete but a figure of positive change, whose entrepreneurial ventures have significantly contributed to charitable causes, raising millions for both large charities and niche non-profits. His companies, Bidaid and UWin, have been created with the sole purpose of raising vital funds, including for marginalised societies, cancer charities, those impacted by the Ukrainian war and so on.
The story of Jamie's speeding was released on the very same day that the World Athletics Indoor Championships began. This suggests to us that it is a clear example of clickbait journalism, with the media using Jamie's profile and following for their own gain, and certainly not for good. There is a great deal of irony here as Jamie spent many years prominently featured on the back pages of UK tabloids and helping put UK athletics on the global map.
"It is disheartening to witness these commendable efforts being overshadowed by fleeting incidents, especially when the local Welsh press could play a pivotal role in highlighting the achievements and contributions of one of their own", comments our Director.
At betting.bet, we stand firm in our belief that media engagement should be constructive and inspiring. We urge media outlets to refocus their lens on stories that strengthen community spirit and celebrate the exemplary efforts of individuals like Jamie. The story of a speeding fine pales in comparison to the narrative of a national hero tirelessly working towards the greater good.
In repsonse, Baulch comments:
"While the story does not bother me as such, it is frustrating. And I am well aware that I am not the only athlete that has experienced this".
Jamie's Achievements
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | World Junior Championships | Seoul, South Korea | 1st | 4 x 100 m |
| 1994 | World Cup | London, England | 1st | 4 x 400 m |
| 1996 | Summer Olympics | Atlanta, United States | 2nd | 4 x 400 m |
| 1997 | World Indoor Championships | Paris, France | 2nd | 400 m |
| World Championships | Athens, Greece | 1st | 4 x 400 m | |
| 1998 | European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 1st | 4 x 400 m |
| Commonwealth Games | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 3rd | 4 x 400 m | |
| World Cup | Johannesburg, South Africa | 2nd | 4 x 400 m | |
| 1999 | World Indoor Championships | Maebashi, Japan | 1st | 400 m |
| 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia | 5th | 4 x 400 m |
| 2002 | European Championships | Munich, Germany | 1st | 4 x 400 m |
| Commonwealth Games | Manchester, England | 2nd | 4 x 400 m | |
| 2003 | World Indoor Championships | Birmingham, England | 3rd | 400 m |