About
Olympian. Health + Wellness advocate. Sports Broadcaster. Presenter. Columnist. Mum
Olympian • Broadcaster • Advocate • Speaker
The versatility Sarah Cowley Ross displayed during her international athletics career has laid the foundation for a dynamic and purposeful life beyond elite sport. A former Olympian and New Zealand high jump and heptathlon champion, Sarah is now a sought-after wellbeing and sport advocate, experienced MC, international athletics commentator and keynote speaker.
Live Events & Commentary
Sarah has transitioned into athletics commentary and is proud to be part of the Olympic Broadcasting Service team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Whether she’s commentating to a global audience or MCing a local event, Sarah thrives in the energy of live environments.
She sees the pressure of performance as a privilege and is driven by her love of connecting with people across diverse industries and communities.
Giving Back Through Sport
Sarah continues to give back to the sporting community through a number of governance roles. She is the former Chair of the New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and a past member of the NZOC Executive Board. Sarah also works across the Olympic Movement in the Oceania region and serves as a community education ambassador.
Championing Women in Sport
A staunch advocate for women in sport—particularly in leadership and governance—Sarah is an alumna of the NZOC’s Women in Sport Leadership Academy (WISLA) and is now contributes to the programme as a facilitator in the Oceania region . Sarah is columnist for Locker Room on Newsroom, a platform dedicated to covering women’s sport and a co-host of the Women’s Sport podcast Suze and Sez Sportstalk.
Elite Career Highlights
Sarah’s athletics career spanned 15 years. She represented New Zealand at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and age group World Championships, and is ranked #2 all-time in New Zealand women’s high jump with a personal best of 1.91m.
Off the Track
Sarah is a qualified physiotherapist and communications consultant. She’s a passionate advocate for everyday movement and wellbeing, regularly sharing content through the lens of Never Miss a Monday—a mantra she embraces to encourage others to start their week with purpose, no matter their age or ability
Above all, Sarah is a proud mum to Max and Poppy, and committed to creating a healthier, more connected Aotearoa through sport, storytelling, and leadership.
Photography by Women’s Weekly
