Nottingham’s Becky Downie MBE on grief, resilience and coming back stronger

Three-time Olympian, double European Champion and Commonwealth Games Champion Becky Downie MBE has made her return to the top of British gymnastics this year winning gold in the uneven bars at the British Championships in March. 

This marks her return after a significant shoulder surgery in January 2025. She told British Gymnastics: 'It’s been a really hard year... but to come back and do one of the best bar routines I’ve ever done…[I’ve] loved every moment.' 

Born and raised in Nottingham, Becky has long been one of the city’s most celebrated athletes. As a child she took lessons in ballet, tap and stage dancing, but when she picked up gymnastics aged seven, it stuck. She went on to train at Notts Gymnastics Academy which became the launchpad for her international career.  

In 2022, Becky and her sister Ellie, also an Olympic Gymnast, were awarded Honorary degrees in sport from Nottingham Trent University, a fitting recognition from the city that started it all.  

Becky now has her sights set on the European Champions, followed by the World Championships later this summer. 

Becky's journey has not just been defined by medals, but by remarkable resilience in the face of personal tragedy. In 2021, on the eve of her Olympic trial, her brother Joshua died suddenly of a cardiac arrest aged just 24. 

Becky said: “I lost my brother Josh in May 2021. He had an undiagnosed heart condition and passed away on the eve of my Olympic trial, so it was really closely linked to my sport, my best event and pressure in general, which was really hard. It was a sad moment, but also a really special moment as well to have overcome that, and I think it’s just a gift to still be able to do the sport I love.”  

Becky is a passionate believer in the importance of talking openly about grief and is therefore taking part in Celebration Day 2026. 

Celebration Day is a not-for-profit national moment of remembrance on Monday 25 May, that invites people across the UK to honour those we’ve lost and the mentors, friends, and heroes whose influence endures.  

This year, Celebration Day is marked with a simple, national ritual. At 7pm on Monday 25 May, people are encouraged to raise a glass, cup or mug in memory of someone whose influence endures as part of The Big Toast. People are encouraged to celebrate in their own way, whether that be with friends, family, or quiet reflection. 

Becky said: “For me, there won’t be one standout memory we’re celebrating on the 25th, but it would just be collective memories, remembering we, as much as it’s a term, ‘we had a brother’, which is a really strange term to use, he’s still always going to be a part of our family.”  

Since launching in 2022, Celebration Day has gained support across British public life, including from The King, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Stephen Fry, The One Show, National Trust and more. 

Celebration Day takes place on the last Monday in May, inviting the nation to honour those who are no longer with us. At its heart is the Big Toast at 7pm, when the country pauses to raise a glass and #MarkTheirMemory. 

Find out more at www.celebrationday.com