Cambridge graduates shine at Beijing Olympics

 Out of the eleven Team GB athletes who either study at or have graduated from Cambridge, the University has racked up a stunning tally of one Gold medal, four Silver and one Bronze.

In fact, Cambridge’s Trinity Hall alone can lay claim to a better haul of Olympic medals than India, Portugal and South Africa – to name just a few – after graduates Emma Pooley and Tom James claimed Silver and Gold respectively in Beijing.

However, Tom James’ fantastic Gold as part of the Men’s Coxless Fours at the weekend was something of a double-edged sword for Trinity Hall’s senior tutor, Nick Bampos.

The Australian had to endure the sight of Tom and his Coxless Fours team overhauling his countrymen’s boat in a thrilling finale on Saturday as they lived up to the legendary exploits of Redgrave and Pinsent.

As well as James’ Gold and Emma Pooley’s Silver in the Cycling Time Trial, Cambridge’s Tom Stallard (Jesus College) and Josh West (Gonville and Caius) also claimed rowing Silver as part of the Men’s Eight .

Although Annie Vernon (Downing College) and her team mates were inconsolable after losing out in the Women’s Quad to China, her Silver medal was earned in true Olympic fashion after the team gave every ounce of effort before being pipped at the post by the host nation.

Wrapping up the medal count for Cambridge is Anna Bebington (Newnham College) who took Bronze in the Double Sculls.

Despite not making the winners’ podium, the University was also proudly represented by Churchill College Classics student Alex O’Connell in the Fencing Sabre competition, Hester Goodsell (Hughes Hall) and Helen Casey (St Catharine's) in the Double Scull (Lightweight), Sarah Winckless (Fitzwilliam College) in the Women’s Eight and Andy Baddeley (Gonville and Caius) who made it to the final of the 1500m.

Tony Lemons, Director of Physical Education at the University, has just returned from Beijing: "Having experienced the highly competitive atmosphere in the city one can only marvel at the quality of the performances being displayed by all the competitors at the Games. Naturally we are extremely proud  of all our students, past and present, who have represented their country so well at these games, and our particular congratulations must go to those who have achieved podium positions. It makes one proud to be a small part of the University of Cambridge!"

Further Cambridge connections in Beijing have come via the legendary Chinese Table Tennis player Deng Yaping. Regarded as one of the greatest ever players, Deng won six World Championships and four Olympic Golds.

She is currently studying for a PhD in Land Economy at Jesus College but is in China as Vice Director of Beijing’s Olympic Village.

Elsewhere, Trinity Hall staff also had an interest in the performance of Adam Brown. Son of Wychfield senior porter Kim Brown, he took part in the Men’s 4x 100m Freestyle Relay.