Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
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Leeds Beckett University is celebrating its contribution to Team GB’s Olympic success
Marathon runners Emile Cairess and Phil Sesemann paced by Dr Andi Drake
Former student Keely Hodgkinson grabbed the headlines with her dominant 800m gold. Leeds Beckett alumni Alex Yee joined Keely in upgrading his silver from Tokyo to gold in the individual triathlon with one of the most dramatic late surges of this or any Olympics.
Alumna Emily Campbell achieved medals at back-to-back Olympics in the weightlifting, while Beth Potter competed an incredible journey from 34th in the 10,000m in Rio to bronze in the individual triathlon in Paris.
Keely and Beth are both regulars on campus, receiving strength and conditioning coaching from Dane Mitchell, while Beth's team also includes our head athletics coach Andy Henderson.
Leeds connections run through the entire mixed triathlon team which gained another bronze, including Beth, Alex and alumna Georgia Taylor-Brown.
Beyond the medals were some incredible stories and performances, including:
- Current student Luke Whitehouse finishing 4th the team gymnastics
- Talent Hub athlete Emile Cairess put in a world-class performance to finish 4th in the marathon - equalling Team GB's best ever finish
- 50% of the team GB marathon team are supported by the Talent Hub, with long-time friends and training partners Phil Sesemann and Emile Cairess achieving their Olympic dream together
- Jacob Fincham-Dukes finished 5th in the long jump, despite also having a full-time job alongside his training
- Lizzie Bird set a new British record in the 3000m steeple chase
- Max Burgin set a new personal best to reach the 800m final despite a difficult and uncertain journey to Paris
Vice Chancellor Peter Slee said: "We are extremely proud of the performance of every athlete connected to Leeds Beckett, and the important role our extremely talented staff, students and world-class facilities play in preparing this and future generations to compete on the global stage.
"Particular congratulations are due to everyone involved in the Talent Hub - a phenomenal high-performance environment on our Headingley campus."
You can find out more about how Leeds Beckett's sports scientists, facilities and the Talent Hub - in partnership with England Athletics, London marathon and the Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme - prepares elite athletes for Paris.
In this article
Professor Peter Slee
Professor Peter Slee joined Leeds Beckett University as Vice Chancellor in September 2015. Peter was educated at the University of Reading, gained his PhD in Modern History from the University of Cambridge and was a postdoctoral fellow at Manchester and Durham. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an award-winning author, teacher and trainer.
Peter joined Leeds Beckett from the University of Huddersfield where he had been Deputy Vice Chancellor since 2010. He has held a number of senior roles in higher education management at Northumbria, Durham and Aston universities and at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) where he was Head of Education Policy.
