We explore the achievements of both past and present UK university student-athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris.
Renowned for their elite sporting facilities, world-class coaching, and comprehensive support systems, UK Universities play a pivotal role in nurturing hundreds of potential Olympians each year, including many who made their mark in Paris.
With nearly 11,000 athletes from 204 nations competing across 329 events in 32 sports, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games produced another spectacular showcase of global athletic talent.
This summer saw UK university student-athletes once again achieve incredible success, capturing 48 Olympic medals in total, including 16 gold, 6 silver, and 26 bronze individual medals.
In this article, we celebrate ten exceptional athletes from various sports and universities across the UK, whose achievements in Paris ranged from gold medals to setting new national records.
Meet 10 current and former UK university student-athletes who made their mark on the worlds biggest stage in Paris.
Daniel Wiffen
Loughborough University, Swimming
The reigning World Champion stole the spotlight in Paris, securing gold in the 800m final and setting a new Olympic record with an astonishing time of 7:38.19. The 23 year old Irish swimmer, who is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management for Business at Loughborough, also secured a bronze medal in the 1500m.
Alex Yee
Leeds Beckett University, Triathlon
Alex Yee secured gold in the Men’s Triathlon, following his silver medal in the same event at the previous Games. The former Leeds Beckett Sportsman of the Year clinched multiple BUCS titles, including the Triathlon Sprint Championships and 10k, whilst pursuing his degree in Sport and Exercise Science.
Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz
University of Bath, Judo
Former University of Bath sporting scholar Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz secured an incredible silver Judo medal in the-63kg category in her second Olympic Games. The Sports Performance graduate wrote herself into Mexican history, making her their first silver medal winner in the sport’s history.
Jeremiah Azu
Cardiff Met University, Athletics
Cardiff Met athlete, Jeremiah who trained and received coaching at the University played a pivotal role in Team GB’s impressive performance in the 4 x 100m Relay. He helped secure a bronze medal with a season’s best time of 37.61 seconds, marking his first Olympic medal.
Keanna MacInnes
University of Stirling, Swimming
Stirling swimmer Keanna set a new Scottish record to qualify for the 100m Butterfly semi-final in her Olympic debut. The 23-year-old entered the games on the back of a stellar BUCS season, where she won gold in both the Women’s 200m Individual and Team events at this year’s Short Course Swimming Championships.
Ros Canter
Sheffield Hallam University, Equestrian
Sheffield Hallam graduate, Ros Canter helped Team GB pick up the team eventing gold medal in her first Olympic appearance. The 2023 Individual European Champion graduated with a degree in Sports Science, where she also played first team hockey whilst eventing.
Sophie Capewell
Loughborough University, Cycling
Current Loughborough student Sophie Capewell won gold on the track in the women’s team sprint, as she and her teammates broke the world record – for an incredible third time in the session. The Olympic champion is currently completing her Mathematics degree at the UK’s top sporting university, which recently retained its BUCS crown for the 43rd consecutive year.
Emily Campbell
Leeds Beckett University, Weightlifting
Weightlifter Emily Campbell clinched bronze in the +81kg Women’s Weightlifting. The former sports scholarship student at Leeds Beckett graduated in 2016 with her bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and left Paris with her second Olympic medal after claiming silver in the +87kg event in Tokyo.
Georgia Bell
University of Birmingham, Athletics
Middle-distance runner Georgia Bell broke a British record to claim the bronze medal in the Women’s 1500m. The former BUCS indoor 800m champion studied Geography at the University of Birmingham and became British indoor 1500m champion earlier in the year.
Lola Anderson
Newcastle University, Rowing
Newcastle University graduate Lola Anderson and teammates claimed gold in the Women’s Quad Sculls. Lola graduated in 2018 with her English literature degree and was one of six Newcastle alumni among the forty-two rowers selected to represent Team GB in Paris, highlighting the universities excellent rowing programme.
UK University Student-Athlete Success at 2024 Olympics
With a total of 48 Olympic medals that included 16 world champions, UK universities have once again proven their ability to produce elite Olympians across a broad spectrum of sports.
From Daniel Wiffen’s record-breaking performance in the pool to Alex Yee’s heroic comeback in the triathlon, the success of both current and former student-athletes underscores the significant role that UK universities play in nurturing talent. Through elite sporting facilities, expert coaching, and a comprehensive support system for athletes, academic institutions across the UK continue to develop the next generation of sporting champions.
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