University of Birmingham’s Olympic hopefuls ready for sporting glory
Students, alumni and staff from the University of Birmingham are heading for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
Ollie Morgan is one of our Olympic hopefuls heading to Paris
Students, alumni and staff from the University of Birmingham have received the call and are ready to challenge for sporting glory in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
With the 2024 Olympics starting on 26 July, there will be athletes competing for Olympic success, coaches ensuring that their athletes perform at their peak, and support staff helping the Games to run smoothly and effectively.
Team GB has confirmed competitors for many sports at the Games, but there are University representatives working with other countries as national squads around the world prepare for Paris.
More confirmed competitors are expected to be revealed by British selectors, but confirmed athletes include:
- Current student and Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) scholar Oliver Morgan makes his Olympics debut for Team GB Swimming.
- 4x400m relay athlete and staff member Hannah Kelly heads to her first Olympics with Team GB. Hannah is also an alumna of the University.
- Five UoB Sport alumni - Amy Costello, Hannah French, Lily Owsley, Flora Peel and Anna Toman – have been selected for Team GB’s hockey squad, with current scholar Lily Walker on stand-by as part of the reserves.
- Silver 2022 Commonwealth games medalist and National Time Trial champion, alumna Anna Henderson joins Team GB’s Cycling team.
- Former TASS scholar and alumna Heather Cowell is named in Team GB’s Women’s Rugby Sevens squad.
- Middle-distance runner and alumna Georgia Bell secured her Team GB spot at the UK Championships.
- Alumni Annie Caddick and Josh O’ Brien have both been selected to represent Team GB in Para-Rowing.
- Reigning KL3 canoe sprint Paralympic champion and alumna Laura Sugar MBE will join Team GB.
- Current EDCAP scholar Hannah Pearce will join the South Africa Hockey team.
- Alumnus Imranur Rahman will run in the 100m for Bangladesh.
On the coaching and professional support side of the Games:
- Former Paralympian and Athletics coach Dean Miller joins Team GB’s coaching staff as Athletics Endurance Manager for Paralympics GB.
- Sport & Exercise Sciences alumnus Ollie Armstrong is Lead Physiologist for Athletics Canada.
- Alumna, Olympian, and University of Birmingham Sport Hall of Famer Hannah England joins the media team, as stadium announcer for athletics.
- Hockey umpire and alumna Hannah Harrison officiates matches across the tournament.
Sporting success is in our DNA at the University of Birmingham. We have supported the development of some outstanding athletes and coaches over many decades - particularly our Hall of Fame Game Changers. We wish all our students, staff and alumni taking part in the Paris Olympics every success this summer.
University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell commented: “Sporting success is in our DNA at the University of Birmingham. We have supported the development of some outstanding athletes and coaches over many decades - particularly our Hall of Fame Game Changers. We wish all our students, staff and alumni taking part in the Paris Olympics every success this summer.”
As the Games approach, sports leaders at the University are keen to hear from alumni now working in sports-related fields who would like to contribute to the development of future generations of Birmingham sports stars.
University of Birmingham Director of Sport Andy Allford commented: “We’re tremendously proud of everyone with a University of Birmingham connection who will be participating in this year’s Olympic Games and wish them all the best for the coming weeks.”
University of Birmingham Head of Performance Luke Gunn commented: “The University of Birmingham is well-recognised for our credentials in studies related to sport – we are currently ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
“Regardless of what students choose to study at Birmingham, in supporting our athletes, we aim to strike the perfect balance between sport and study. People can come here, confident in the knowledge that they can pursue both their academic and athletic aspirations.
"We support our elite athletes through a rang of excellent Sport Scholarship programmes – notably our Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway, which allows participants to make the most of their University of Birmingham education and the fantastic sports coaching and facilities we offer on campus.”
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
For more information or interviews please contact Tony Moran, International Communications Manager, on +44 (0)782 783 2312. For out-of-hours enquiries, please call +44 (0) 121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
The University’s Elite Dual Career Athlete Pathway (EDCAP) provides sector-leading dual career support that mirrors world class performance programme and is tailored to the individual needs of our highest performing student-athletes at the University, through access to bespoke specialist support services, expert practitioners, and state of the art facilities within our dedicated Performance Centre.