Fatima Whitbread (b. 1961) is a British athlete, a world champion javelin-thrower.

Fatima Vedad was born in London to Turkish Cypriot parents. She was left on her on own as a baby in a flat until a neighbour heard her crying and called the police. She spent the next 14 years living in the ‘care’ system.

After a difficult early childhood, at age 14 Fatima Vedad was fostered by the family of Margaret Whitbread, a javelin coach.

2 years later, Fatima was the European junior javelin champion. She went on to won bronze & silver at the 1984 & 1988 Olympics. She broke the world record in the qualifying round of the 1986 European Athletics Championships in Stuttgart. She also became the 1st British athlete to set a world record in throwing.

Fatima Whitbread published her autobiography in 2012, https://www.careexperienceandculture.com/master/survivor%3A-the-shocking-and-inspiring-story-of-a-true-champion and a children’s book in 2024, https://www.careexperienceandculture.com/master/my-bright-shining-star