Association of Colleges

13 August 2012

 

Congratulations to all College medals winners in London 2012

 

Six of Britain’s Olympic gold medals were won by College alumni.

Judging by the large number of winners who have spent time in Further Education we are well on our way to providing some outstanding medal prospects for the future.

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has appointed a sports manager, Clare Howard, to ensure that students can benefit from excellent provision wherever they choose to study.

Association of Colleges’ Chief Executive, Martin Doel, said: “Congratulations to all Olympic medal winners but particularly those who are either still attending a College or are College alumni. With so many medallists connected to Colleges around the country, it is clear for anyone to see that Further Education provides wonderful opportunities for sportsmen and women.

“It is therefore important that these FE elite medal winners can act as an inspiration to the next generation. The good work in developing not just athletes but also healthy lifestyles, which will benefit the whole country, is already underway but much still needs to be done.

“To this end it is essential that Colleges are included in the developing legacy programme as they provide education to thousands of teenagers and potential Olympians. Research has shown that the biggest drop-off in sports participation happens between the ages of 16 and 18-years-old. A large proportion of this group are educated in Colleges and the Government should recognise the long-term benefits of trying to keep them engaged with sport and fitness in the broader areas of long-term health and welfare spending.

“Athletic success, particularly from those at College, can act as a spur to others and help produce a fit and healthy nation.”

Many thousands of College students also helped make London 2012 a success in their role as volunteers and had a strong presence in the catering corps, security and as GamesMakers. They can all feel justifiably proud of their input.

Below is a list of all past and present College students who took their turn on the winner’s podium:

Three medal winners are alumni from Peter Symonds College

· Ben Ainslie – Gold (sailing – Finn class)

· Iain percy – Silver (sailing – star class)

· James Foad – Bronze (rowing – men’s eight)

Havering Sixth Form College produced a medallist on the water as well

· Mark Hunter – Silver (rowing – lightweight double sculls)

Hopwood Hall College also had a successful sailing alumnus

· Stuart Bithell – Silver (sailing – 470 class)

Gold went to Dearne Valley College in two weight classes of the boxing

· Anthony Joshua – Gold (boxing – heavyweight)

· Luke Campbell – Gold (boxing – bantamweight)

Leeds City College and Bradford’s Boxing Academy had a hand in writing history with a former student who became the first of woman to win a boxing medal

· Nicola Adams – Gold (boxing - women’s flyweight)

East Norfolk Sixth Form College can claim success in the ring as well

· Anthony Ogogo – Bronze (boxing – middleweight)

An alumnus of Barton Peveril Sixth Form College helped ramp-up the Velodrome successes

· Dani King – Gold (cycling – women’s team pursuit)

Former Kirklees College (Huddersfield Technical College) student had a double win the Velodrome

• Ed Clancy - Gold (cycling team sprint) and Bronze (men's omnium)

Two of Loughborough College’s 15 Olympic competitors gained a Bronze medal

· Robert Grabarz – Bronze (men’s high jump)

· Nicola White – Bronze (women’s hockey)

Notes: 

*There were also more than 40 Olympic participants who have spent time at Colleges. If we have missed any medal winners we apologise and will add then to our hall of fame as soon as we hear about their success.

*For more information on the part FE Colleges played in the Olympics please visit the Podium website, which has lots of details.

 

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