Neil Eckersley Olympic bronze medallist Neil Eckersley has successfully bridged the worlds of sport and art. Once Britain’s leading extra-lightweight judoka and a medal winner at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, he is now widely recognised for his bold and expressive abstract work. Born in Salford, Manchester, Neil spent over a decade at the top of British Judo before turning his focus to a new creative path. His distinctive contemporary style has been showcased in exhibitions across the globe, from Manchester to Tokyo. In 2022, he was appointed artist-in-residence for the International Olympic Committee during the Beijing Winter Games, further cementing his reputation as a unique voice in Olympic-inspired art.