Leeds Becket in Paris - week one's highlights

The Leeds Beckett community is sharing the ecstasy, agony and enormous pride in the presence and performance of so many Olympians with connections to the university. 

Here is a round-up of the week's action, and a guide to watching the rest of the competition through a Leeds Beckett lens.

Gymnastics
Current Sports and Exercise Therapy student Luke Whitehouse’s bid for a medal in the team gymnastics finished in the agonising 4th spot. Luke has a chance to go at least one better in the individual finals over the weekend.

Rugby 7s
The women's Team GB rugby 7s were welcomed on campus during two Leeds-based training camps – which included treatment sessions with Sports and Exercise Therapy students - to prepare for Paris. A thrilling run in an extremely watchable sport ended in the quarter finals, with a 7th place secured through the play-offs.

Triathlon
The triathlons on Wednesday morning brought the first medals connected to our university, a stunning gold in an unforgettable finish from alumnus Alex Yee. This followed a spectacular bronze for Beth Potter, who is supported by Leeds Talent Hub Head of athletics Andy Henderson, Head of Strength and Conditioning Dane Mitchell and our former Head of Triathlon, Jack Maitland.

Leeds is often described as the centre of the British triathlon universe, and we’ve supported every member of the triathlon team on their journey to Paris. Georgia Taylor-Brown overcame an injury-interrupted preparation to finish 6th, with Katie Waugh – who used our world-class facilities as part of the Leeds Triathlon Centre partnership - came in 15th.

Track and Field
On the opening day of track and field yesterday, Leeds Beckett alumni racewalker Callum Wilkinson finished a hugely impressive 16th after his season was in doubt after a calf tear in January.

Callum graduated in Sports Event Management in 2019, having been coached by our talent hub manager Andrew Drake before relocating. Callum has had a torrid time with injuries and was completing his first 20km race since his 10th place at the Tokyo Olympics.

Ones to watch this weekend
There are plenty of Leeds Beckett connected athletes to cheer this weekend. Keely Hodgkinson has to overcome a heat tonight and semi-final on Sunday before she can try to turn Tokyo’s silver into a Paris gold in Monday’s 800m final.

Keely burst onto the world stage while studying at Leeds Beckett, and retains Dane Mitchell on her coaching team.

Shot-putter Scott Lincoln, one of nine athletes in Paris connected to Beckett Sports’ Leeds Talent Hub, aims to build on the form of his life earlier in the season in what is his second Olympics.

Competing today and over the weekend:
Keely Hodgkinson - 800m Rd 1 Fri - 18:45 BST / Rd 2 Sat - 10:20 BST / Semi Final Sun - 19:35 BST / Final Mon - 20:47 BST
Scott Lincoln - Shot Putt Fri 19:10 BST / Final – Sat 18:35 BST
Luke Whitehouse - Gymnastics Individual Finals

Find out more about how Leeds Beckett's world class staff, facilities and students have prepared athletes for Paris.  

Monday 5 August
Triathlon Mixed Relay 07:00 BST
Keely Hodgkinson - 800m 20:47 BST
Luke Whitehouse - Gymnastics

Tuesday 6 August
Yona Knight-Wisdom - 3m Diving 09:00 BST
Jacob Fincham-Dukes - Long Jump 10:00 BST
Lizzie Bird - 3000m Steeplechase 20:14 BST

Wednesday 7 August
Yona Knight-Wisdom - Semi Final 3m Diving 09:00 BST
Max Burgin - Heats 800m 10:55 BST

Thursday 8 August
Max Burgin - Rd 2 800m 11:00 BST
Jade O'Dowda - Heptathlon
Yona Knight-Wisdom - Final 3m Diving 09:00 BST

Friday 9 August
Max Burgin - Semi Final 800m 10:30 BST
Jade O'Dowda - Heptathlon

Saturday 10 August
Emile Cairess - Marathon 07:00 BST
Phil Sesemann - Marathon 07:00 BST
Max Burgin - Final 800m 18:05 BST

Sunday 11 August
Calli Hauger-Thackery - Marathon 07:00 BST
Emily Campbell - Weightlifting 10:30 BST