ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã

ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã athletes celebrate year of Olympic success

Swimmers and Colin Fleming
Olympic swimmers Craig Benson, Ross Murdoch, Robbie Renwick and Duncan Scott celebrate alongside Olympic tennis player and ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã alumnus Colin Fleming

ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã’s roster of Olympic and Paralympic athletes were recognised at a special reception evening held on campus yesterday evening, Tuesday 29 November.

Staff, students, supporters and University partners gathered to celebrate ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã’s high performance athletes, current students, alumni, honorary graduates and coaching staff who participated in the 2016 Games.

Hosted by ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã alumna and BBC broadcaster Rhona McLeod, the event saw ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã Olympic medallists Duncan Scott and Robbie Renwick give an insight into their Olympic experience alongside high performance swimming teammates Craig Benson and Ross Murdoch, and Head Coach Ben Higson.

Cathy Gallagher, Director of Sport at Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, said: “It’s been an incredible year for sport, particularly at ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã. We wanted to take this opportunity to show our pride in each of the ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã athletes who competed in Rio and look back on what has been a milestone year.

“It was fantastic that so many people across our community had the chance to be part of an Olympic Games. The attributes of self-belief and dedication that our athletes possess are ones that we aim to instil in all of our students, no matter what challenge they have set themselves, and the recognition they receive is well deserved.”

New ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã athlete and fellow Olympic swimmer Dan Wallace also joined the celebrations, alongside former tennis scholar and ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã alumnus Colin Fleming, who played in the men’s doubles in Rio.

ÍæÅ¼½ã½ã was also represented in the Paralympics by double medallist, former student and wheelchair tennis scholar, Gordon Reid, while alumni Charlotte Henshaw and Scott McCowan competed in Paralympic swimming and boccia respectively. Charlotte took a bronze medal in Rio and Honorary Graduate Andy Murray also secured another gold medal, equally his success in London.

Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence was Scotland’s top performing University in Rio.

Notes for editors
Background information

Media enquiries to Corrie Campbell, Communications Officer on 01786 466169 or c.r.campbell@stir.ac.uk