University of Birmingham’s athletes ready for sporting glory

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 medallist 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.
• Current scholar Megan Richter and alumna Alison Peasgood have been selected in Team GB's largest ever paratriathlon squad. 
• Alumna Lora Fachie joins the Team GB cycling squad.
• 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.

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.”

Birmingham academics are providing expert commentary around the Games. 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 range 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.”