Ollie Morgan

My name is Ollie Morgan. I’m a student here at the University of Birmingham studying Sports, PE and Coaching Science, and I also competed at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

My first experience of coming to the University of Birmingham was visiting my older sister, who was doing her undergrad here as well. I was really impressed with the facilities, the staff, and the whole buzz around the place. It’s just a great place to train and to study.

I competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the summer just gone. I swam the 100 and 200 backstroke as well as the medley relay. We came fourth in the medley relay, which was really exciting - so close to the medals! I also came eighth in my 100, which was my first international final. To do that on the biggest stage I’ve ever swum in was really exciting and a big achievement for me. Doing it while studying for my undergrad is something I’m proud of. It’s hard to balance, so being able to compete at the highest level while studying is really impressive.

When I joined the University, my sporting ability wasn’t as high as it is now. I’ve been on quite a journey since then. Being put on the scholarship programme in my second year gave me the flexibility and support I needed to be an elite athlete while also studying. It’s a dual career pathway, which is really exciting because it lets me progress as a person in my studies and as an athlete.

Something I’m really proud of while studying here is sharing my experiences, going to the Olympic Games and my day-to-day life of training and competing with local schools, swimming clubs, and athlete centres. A lot of those kids don’t have those experiences yet, so it’s really nice to go out and share what I’ve learned to inspire the next generation.

My advice to students looking to join the University of Birmingham would be to plan ahead. Think about the goals you want to set whether as an athlete or a student and break them down into day-to-day, week-by-week, month-by-month steps. Stay consistent, stay motivated, and be dedicated to what you want to do. The days you don’t want to study or train are the days that really count. For me, the end goal was making the Olympics, and there’s nothing you want more as an athlete than to compete at the Games. So on those dark, cold mornings when you don’t want to get out of bed, think of that end goal, that’s what really motivates you.