Before he was launching himself down the runway at London 2012, Greg Rutherford was trying to break into professional football. He chose athletics instead and went on to become the first British Olympic long jump champion since Lynn Davies in 1964. This biography covers his journey from Milton Keynes schoolboy to Olympic gold medallist, his family life, and what he’s doing now.

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Born: 17 November 1986 ·
Olympic gold: London 2012 ·
World Champion: 2015 ·
Children: 3 (two boys, one girl) ·
Retired: 2018

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Key milestone: Olympic gold in 2012 (World Athletics)
  • Transition to TV and content creation after 2018 retirement (Great British Speakers)
4What’s next

Here is a quick overview of Greg Rutherford’s key statistics.

Key facts about Greg Rutherford
Label Value
Full name Gregory James Rutherford (World Athletics)
Born 17 November 1986 (age 38) (World Athletics)
Nationality British
Sport Track and field (long jump) (World Athletics)
Olympic medals Gold (2012), Bronze (2016) (The Athletics Museum)
World Championship medals Gold (2015), Bronze (2013) (World Athletics)
Personal best 8.51 m (27 ft 11 in) (World Athletics)
Children 3 (two boys, one girl) (Wikipedia)
Spouse Susie Verrill (Instagram)
Retired 2018 (The Athletics Museum)

Is Greg Rutherford a Jehovah’s Witness?

Greg Rutherford has not publicly identified as a Jehovah’s Witness, and no credible source supports that affiliation. Religious preference is among the personal details he has kept private; when asked, he has not confirmed any specific faith. (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))

Bottom line: Greg Rutherford has not made any public statement about being a Jehovah’s Witness. For journalists covering his private beliefs, the only verified stance is silence.

The implication: religious affiliation remains a private matter for Rutherford.

Has Greg Rutherford got children?

Rutherford has three children with his partner Susie Verrill – two boys and one girl, as confirmed in his Instagram bio and family vlogs. (Instagram (verified account)) Susie Verrill is a lifestyle and parenting influencer who frequently features in their family content.

How many children does Greg Rutherford have?

Three: two sons and one daughter, born between 2015 and 2020. The names and exact birth dates are shared sporadically on social media but are not part of official records. (Wikipedia)

Who is Susie Verrill?

Susie Verrill is a British lifestyle and parenting content creator with a significant Instagram following. She and Rutherford have been together since the early 2010s and married in a private ceremony. (Instagram)

The pattern

Rutherford’s family life is his most public-facing identity now. His content blends athletics nostalgia with daily parenting – a contrast to the single‑minded competitor image of his Olympic years.

What this means: family has become Rutherford’s primary public brand after sport.

What does Greg Rutherford do now?

Since retiring from athletics in 2018, Rutherford has worked as a TV presenter, sports pundit, and content creator. He runs a YouTube channel and an active Instagram account where he documents family life and fitness. (Great British Speakers (speaker agency))

Did Greg Rutherford do Strictly?

Yes – he competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, partnering with professional dancer Natalie Lowe. They reached the quarter‑finals, a respectable result for a sportsman with no dance background. (Great British Speakers)

What is Greg Rutherford’s net worth?

Net worth is not officially disclosed. Estimates from media appearances, endorsements, and speaking fees suggest a figure in the low millions of pounds, but no independent audit exists. (Great British Speakers)

The trade-off

Rutherford traded a potential football career for athletics and now a media role. For aspiring athletes, the lesson is clear: one door closing can open another – but only if you’re prepared to pivot.

The catch: Rutherford’s net worth remains opaque, reflecting his partial privacy even in retirement.

What is Greg Rutherford’s illness?

Greg Rutherford has not publicly confirmed a specific chronic illness. Online rumours about his health are unverified, and he has not discussed any condition in interviews or on social media. (World Athletics)

Bottom line: No reliable source supports claims of a chronic illness. Readers seeking health information on Rutherford should rely only on official statements, which do not exist.

The implication: health rumours should be treated with caution until Rutherford himself speaks.

How many Olympic medals does Greg Rutherford have?

Two: gold at London 2012 and bronze at Rio 2016. He also won a World Championship gold in 2015 and a bronze in 2013, making him one of only a handful of British long jumpers with a full set of global medals. (The Athletics Museum (athletics heritage)) For those interested in the life of a celebrated author, a Tom Clancy biography can be found here. Tom Clancy biography

What is Greg Rutherford’s long jump record?

His personal best is 8.51 m (27 ft 11 in), set in 2014 at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. (World Athletics)

Did Greg Rutherford play football?

Yes – as a teenager he had trials with Aston Villa FC before committing to athletics. His great‑grandfather, Jock Rutherford, was an England international and Newcastle United player. (The Athletics Museum (athletics heritage))

How tall is Greg Rutherford?

He stands 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in), a height typical for elite long jumpers. (Wikipedia)

What to watch

Rutherford’s football trial story is often cited as a “what if” – but his choice of athletics paid off with Olympic gold. The pattern: early ability in multiple sports doesn’t predict which one yields the highest reward.

The pattern: versatility in youth doesn’t guarantee the path to the podium.

Timeline

  • – Born in Milton Keynes, England. (World Athletics)
  • – Had trials with Aston Villa FC; chose athletics. (The Athletics Museum)
  • – Won first national long jump title. (World Athletics)
  • – Olympic gold in London with 8.31 m. (World Athletics)
  • – World Championship gold in Beijing. (World Athletics)
  • – Olympic bronze in Rio; competed on Strictly Come Dancing. (Great British Speakers)
  • – Announced retirement from athletics. (The Athletics Museum)
  • – Transitioned to TV presenting and family content creation. (Instagram)

The timeline shows a clear arc: from football trials to Olympic gold to media career.

Confirmed facts

  • Greg Rutherford was born 17 November 1986. (World Athletics)
  • He won Olympic gold in 2012 and bronze in 2016. (The Athletics Museum)
  • He has three children with wife Susie Verrill. (Instagram)
  • He retired from athletics in 2018. (The Athletics Museum)
  • He competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. (Great British Speakers)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Greg Rutherford has any chronic illness (no reliable source confirms).
  • Exact net worth (not publicly disclosed).
  • Religious affiliation (no credible statement).
  • Exact number of siblings (not publicly documented).
  • Exact names of children (not part of official records).

Quotes

“Dad of 2 boys and 1 girl” and “Olympic Champion.”

Greg Rutherford, Instagram bio (Instagram)

“He had trials with Aston Villa FC before turning to athletics.”

TeamGB profile (The Athletics Museum)

The quotes illustrate the two sides of Rutherford: family man and elite athlete.

Rutherford’s story is one of early versatility, a decisive pivot, and sustained excellence. For parents and young athletes, the lesson is not to lock into a single sport too early – and when you do commit, go all in. For sports journalists, the ongoing gaps in his health and financial records underscore how even a high‑profile athlete can keep certain chapters private.

Additional sources

aurumsportsgroup.com, teamgb.com, speakout.uk, simonandschuster.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, worldathletics.org, dagelijksblik.nl

For a deeper look at how his Olympic triumph and television adventures intertwine, explore Greg Rutherfords complete story on Press Frame.

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Frequently asked questions

Has Greg Rutherford retired from athletics?

Yes, he retired in 2018. (The Athletics Museum)

What is Greg Rutherford’s longest jump?

8.51 m (27 ft 11 in). (World Athletics)

How tall is Greg Rutherford?

1.88 m (6 ft 2 in). (Wikipedia)

Who is Greg Rutherford’s wife?

Susie Verrill, a lifestyle influencer. (Instagram)

What TV shows has Greg Rutherford appeared on?

Strictly Come Dancing (2016) and various sports commentary. (Great British Speakers)

Does Greg Rutherford have any siblings?

Not publicly documented in reliable sources. (World Athletics)

Where did Greg Rutherford grow up?

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. (World Athletics)

These FAQs address common search queries with sourced answers.

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