Orla Chennaoui is a Northern Irish television journalist and sports broadcaster best known for her work in cycling and Olympic coverage. Over the course of her career, she has moved from local journalism and general news into major international sporting broadcasts, becoming a familiar face to cycling fans across the UK and Europe.
Born on 13 November 1978, she is 47 years old in 2026. She was born in Draperstown, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and developed a strong interest in sport during childhood. Before becoming a broadcaster, she was also a talented athlete and twice became an All-Ireland schools triple-jump champion.
Orla Chennaoui Early Life and Family
Growing up in Draperstown, Chennaoui was surrounded by sport. Her family had a strong interest in athletics and Gaelic games, and she spent much of her childhood involved in sporting activities. She played Gaelic games and tried camogie, but athletics became her main sporting pursuit. At Ballinascreen Athletics Club, she trained regularly in track and field and developed a particular interest in technique and performance.
Her ability in athletics became clear during her school years. She won the All-Ireland schools triple-jump title twice, while also taking part in hurdles and other activities. She has described the discipline of training as something that later influenced the way she viewed journalism and professional sport.
A Childhood Ambition
As a young athlete, Chennaoui dreamed of representing her country at the Olympic Games. She eventually chose a different path, but her early sporting experience gave her an understanding of training, competition and the emotional side of elite sport. That background later became valuable when she began interviewing professional athletes and presenting major sporting events.
Orla Chennaoui Education
Orla Chennaoui attended Queen’s University Belfast, where she studied Law and French. Her decision to study law was influenced partly by her father, while French appealed to her because of her interest in languages and communication. Her studies also gave her the opportunity to spend time in France, an experience that broadened her interest in other cultures and languages.
After completing her university degree, she attended Edinburgh Napier University, where she undertook postgraduate journalism training. This became the foundation for her professional career in media.
Orla Chennaoui Journalism Career
Her professional journey began in print journalism. She worked with publications including Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News. She then moved into radio, working at 2 Ten FM in Reading, before moving into television. Her early television work included ITV Meridian in southern England and later STV and Scotland Today in Scotland. This gradual progression gave her experience in reporting, live broadcasting and newsroom work before she reached national television.
Joining Sky News
A major career change came when she joined Sky News as a Northern Ireland correspondent in 2005. Her early assignments involved major news stories and demanding live broadcasts. One of her first major assignments was the funeral of George Best, which required extensive live coverage. She later moved towards sports broadcasting, where her career took a new direction.
Orla Chennaoui and Sky Sports
In 2010, Orla Chennaoui moved into sports broadcasting for Sky Sports, with cycling becoming her main speciality. Her role expanded considerably over the following years. She covered major cycling races and became closely associated with Sky’s cycling coverage. Her work included the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Tour Down Under, Tour of Britain and World Championships. She also worked extensively around the Olympic Games. Her broadcasting career therefore combined cycling with a wider range of Olympic sports.
Olympic Broadcasting
Orla Chennaoui became an important Olympic correspondent for Sky. She was appointed to the role in 2009 ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. She subsequently worked around the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics, reporting from venues and covering athletes and preparations for the Games. Sky Sports archives also show her reporting from Brazil during the build-up to Rio 2016.
Orla Chennaoui and Eurosport
In 2019, Chennaoui left Sky and joined Eurosport as a lead presenter for its cycling coverage. The move allowed her to concentrate more heavily on the sport she had developed a particular passion for. She became one of the central presenters connected with major European cycling broadcasts and worked alongside respected former riders and cycling experts. Her Eurosport work included major events such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, as well as other sporting coverage. She has also worked on MotoGP and other sports programming.
The Breakaway
One of the programmes strongly associated with Chennaoui is The Breakaway, the cycling discussion programme connected with major Grand Tours. Her presenting style combines race coverage with conversation and analysis, while her background in journalism allows her to focus on the people and stories behind the competition.
Orla Chennaoui and TNT Sports
Eurosport became part of the TNT Sports brand in the UK and Ireland in February 2025. Chennaoui continued her role in major cycling coverage after the change. In 2026, she remained involved in TNT Sports’ coverage of major races, including Grand Tours. Recent coverage has continued to feature her as a presenter for cycling programming.
Orla Chennaoui Husband
Orla Chennaoui is married to Mourad Chennaoui, who was born in Morocco. The couple met while Chennaoui was studying in France. She has explained that they lived in the same halls of residence and began their relationship during that period. Mourad has a scientific career and has been described as a university scientist. The family has spent time living in both London and Amsterdam.
Orla Chennaoui Children
Orla Chennaoui and Mourad Chennaoui have two children. The broadcaster generally keeps her children’s private lives away from the spotlight. She has spoken about the practical challenges of combining a demanding international broadcasting career with family responsibilities.
During periods covering major cycling races, family support has been important. In an interview, she explained that both grandmothers and a childminder help with childcare when her work takes her away for long periods. The names and exact ages of her children have not been consistently established by dependable sources, so those details are best kept private rather than repeated as fact.
Life Between Amsterdam and London
Chennaoui and her family have strong connections to Amsterdam, where they have lived while she continues her international broadcasting work. She has written about moving from London to Amsterdam and adapting to life in a city where cycling is a major part of everyday transport. The family became interested in cargo bikes, particularly for school and family journeys. Her Amsterdam lifestyle also fits naturally with her professional connection to cycling.
Languages and Personal Interests
Languages have played an important role throughout Chennaoui’s life. Her university studies included French, and her international career has exposed her to different countries and cultures. LeBlanq describes her as fluent in five languages and highlights her interests in philosophy, meditation and exercise. Her sporting interests extend beyond watching races. Her early athletics career, love of cycling and interest in active living have remained important parts of her identity.
Ten Times Braver
Outside television, Chennaoui founded Ten Times Braver, a venture centred on courage, personal development and wellbeing. The project reflects another side of her work. Rather than focusing solely on sport, she has explored subjects such as confidence, anxiety, breathing techniques, meditation and personal growth. She has also worked with wellness projects and festivals, bringing together her interests in exercise, philosophy and mental wellbeing.
Orla Chennaoui and Women’s Sport
Women’s sport is another subject close to Chennaoui’s work. She has spoken about the importance of giving women’s sport proper support, coverage and opportunities. Her broadcasting career has placed her in a strong position to discuss the growth of women’s cycling and the experiences of women working in sport. Her own career has also given her direct experience of working in a traditionally male-dominated sporting environment.
Orla Chennaoui Height and Physical Details
Unlike her date of birth and professional history, Chennaoui’s exact height has not been reliably confirmed by a strong source. Various websites may provide different measurements, but without a dependable primary source, a specific height should not be treated as established fact. Her athletic background, however, is well documented. She was a successful school-level triple jumper and trained extensively in athletics before moving towards journalism.
Orla Chennaoui’s Career Today
In 2026, Chennaoui continues to be associated with major cycling broadcasts through TNT Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery. Her career has developed from local journalism in Northern Ireland and Scotland to national news, Olympic reporting and major international cycling events. Her journey is distinctive because it combines journalism, athletics, television presentation, multilingual communication and a long-standing interest in sport.
From a young athlete in Draperstown to a leading face of cycling television, her career has been built gradually through different stages of journalism and broadcasting. Her work continues to connect elite sport with wider audiences while her activities outside television focus on wellbeing, confidence and an active lifestyle.
