Daley Thompson wants to inspire a generation to realise the benefits of exercise

By Abi Curran

Double Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson wants to inspire a generation to feel the important benefits of regular exercise.

Routine played a pivotal role in the 65-year-old's distinguished sporting life, becoming the first decathlete to hold the European, World and Olympic titles simultaneously.

Healthy habits are just as crucial to Daley's life now as they were then, and the 1983 world champion has teamed up with Sir Steve Redgrave to support GSK's Get Shingles Ready campaign.

The latest Department of Health and Social Care's Chief Medical Officer report called for action to improve the health and quality of life of older adults, and Daley is using the campaign to call on the ageing population to look after their health.

He said: "At some point, I'm going to need a bit of help as I get older, and I suspect there are lots of people that do so it's good to get on board and promote it.

"I'm fairly lucky that I still work in a gym and I'm very fortunate that most days I have a friend or two that comes around and while they're working out.

"I sit on a bike and rower or lift some weights and talk about how good I used to be.

According to a GSK-commissioned survey of 1000 adults 60+ who have heard of shingles, 85 per cent said that staying healthy as they get older is very important' to them, but the number of people taking specific measures to remain healthy are, in some case, significantly lower. Only half said they do regular exercise while 61 per cent watch what they eat.

"I'm amazed at how few people say they do regular exercise," Thompson added.

Encouragingly, 79 per cent of those surveyed said they take up vaccinations offered through NHS vaccination programmes, but this still leaves a significant number who don't.

"I didn't realise that one in four people in the country develop shingles." The NHS shingles vaccination programme was expanded in September 2023, meaning more people are now eligible.

Daley believes kickstarting healthy habits now can help prevent and tackle the effects of ageing and prevent illnesses such as shingles, which pose a higher risk to older adults.

He said: "I've been an Olympic champion but there are plenty of days where I don't feel like doing stuff, but I do because it's a habit and I know it's good for me.

"You can get shingles any time of the year and I would hope this conversation about healthy ageing is going to be carrying on for years to come.

"People are always going to need a helping hand when it comes to things like this.

"If you are inspired, get out there and do something, it doesn't matter what you're doing as long as you're doing a little something and doing it regularly.

"It's one of those things that is hard to get into but once you get into it and understand the benefits of it, then it's got you."

Get Shingles Ready is a campaign by GSK supported by Steve Redgrave and Daley Thompson. For more information visit GetShinglesReady.co.uk