Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds Beckett University at the Olympics over the years
The city of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University have had a long and close association with the Olympics.
As the Paris Olympics 2024 are underway, we take this opportunity to remember some interesting associations with the Olympics.
Students and staff at Munich Olympics in 1972
Four students from the City of Leeds and Carnegie College were part of a delegation of 18 chosen to represent Britain at the Olympic student camp at the Munich Games in 1972. The students, all studying physical education, were selected as winners of a sports essay competition.
Alan Roche, member of staff at the college, led the delegation. The student delegations from each country were meant to demonstrate a particular activity and the British team chose to demonstrate cricket.
Dr Bob Price OBE: Alumnus and honorary graduate
Dr Bob Price OBE is an international pioneer for the progression of disabled athletes. He graduated with a Physical Education degree from the Carnegie School of Sport in 1970 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his work in 2017.
Dr Price started his career as a physical education teacher for children with severe physical disabilities, before moving on to become head of delegation to the Great Britain team in five consecutive Summer Paralympic Games.
His subsequent roles as Chairman of the British Paralympic Association, President of the European Paralympic Committee and President of the International Federation for sport for athletes with an intellectual disability (now known as VIRTUS), have seen unprecedented achievements in disability sport.
His vision to develop a system of classification was key in bringing about a decision in 2009 to re-instate competition for Paralympic athletes in time for the 2012 Paralympic Games. One hundred and twenty athletes went on to compete in London in athletics, swimming, and table tennis.
Dr Price continues to be closely linked to the Paralympics, this year presenting medals in Paris 2024.
Alumnus designs Olympic torch for London 2012
Alumnus Edward Barber OBE is an internationally acclaimed designer who has made significant contribution to the arts. Ed graduated with a degree in interior design in 1989. He went on to start his industrial design practice in 1996, BarberOgersby, with partner Jay Osgerby.
The duo have the unique achievement and privilege of having designed the London Olympic torch in 2012. Their unique design was selected from some 1,000 entries. The pair initially came up with the idea of perforating the torch to reduce its weight, soon realising that incorporating 8,000 holes would represent the number of runners carrying the torch. Also, as well as making it easier to grip the torch, the three-sided design symbolises the three times Britain has hosted the Games.
Ed received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett in 2013.
Alumni participating at Olympics 2024
Leeds Beckett alumni continue to represent Great Britain and other countries at the Olympics. Here is a list of alumni competing this year.
Olympics
Athletics
Callum Wilkinson - Race walking BSc Hons Sports Events Management, 2019
Triathlon
Alex Yee MBE - BA Hons Sport and Exercise Science, 2021
Georgia Taylor-Brown MBE - BA Hons Sport and Exercise Science, 2015
Weightlifting
Emily Campbell - BSc (Hons) Sports Science, 2016
Badminton
Lauren Smith - Mixed doubles, BSc Hons Sports Coaching, 2014
Diving
Yona Knight-Wisdom (for Jamaica) - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, 2016
Paralympics
Para-cycling
Dame Sarah Storey - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, 2000 – this will be her ninth Paralympics
Para-athletics and Para-cycling
Kadeena Cox OBE - C4/5 time trial cycling and T38 400m, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, 2013
Leeds Beckett campus as training grounds
The Talent Hub at Leeds Beckett offers world class coaching, sports science support, and facilities that prepare elite athletes to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage. The Hub does this in various ways.
Blood screening helps athletes to understand their current state of health so they can adapt their training, nutrition and recovery accordingly. The environmental chamber means that athletes can get acclimatised to different conditions in various parts of the world, including differences in temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels. The Talent Hub also offers performance research that helps in creating evidence-informed policy and practice to optimise performance and well-being.
Honorary graduate works with international sport and development
Professor Sir Myles Wickstead KCMG CBE was given an honorary degree by Leeds Metropolitan University in 2009 for his exemplary work as the British Ambassador to Ethiopia where he made significant contribution to international development and sport. “Sport - such an important part of the DNA of Leeds Met - is not just about being the best, but also about participation and self-realisation and for empowering those who might otherwise be disadvantaged and marginalised,” he says.
With this objective in mind, a commitment was made as part of the UK Olympic bid for 2012 to establish an 'International Inspiration' (II) programme to reach 12 million children in 20 Olympic partner countries. The programme was supported by UK Sport, the British Council and UNICEF and overseen by a Board, of which Sir Myles was a part. The programme reached its key objective and Sir Myles was invited to give a talk on this at the university in 2012, the London Olympics year.
Twelve years on, he continues to advocate for empowerment, health, and well-being and the strong links between sport and broader development objectives, aiming towards achieving the Sustainable Goals by 2030.
