University rowing shines at Olympics

A record medal haul for the GB rowing team over the weekend was underpinned by the success of students and graduates, according to British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).

Twenty university students and alumni took home five of the six Olympic medals from the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing –the most medals won by the GB rowing team since 1908.

Karen Rothery, chief executive of BUCS, said:

“Over 90% of the GB rowing team competed for their university club and six of the medallists first took up the sport while studying. It’s clear that university allows students to take advantage of the sports on offer and rowing is one which is becoming increasingly popular; over 50 student clubs competed in BUCS competitions in 2007/08.”

Of the 43 GB athletes selected to compete in rowing, 39 rowed at university, and all 19 of the women’s rowing team competing in Beijing have been through university. In Team GB as a whole, 177 of the 313 athletes are university students or graduates, compared with 156 students/graduates who went to Athens in 2004.

Rothery added: “Our universities have some of the best rowing facilities and clubs in Europe and there’s no doubt that the support of higher education has contributed to the development and experience of our rowers in Beijing this year.

“As the rowing team travel home with their bronze, silver and gold medals we’re looking forward to the next four years of rowing on a national and international stage. Working closely with the Amateur Rowing Association we’re already discussing how we develop the sport further on campus and increase student participation at a grass-roots level ready for London 2012 and beyond.”