Medals, Mexicans and a lasting legacy - Swansea at the heart of a summer of sport

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With students past and present competing for TeamGB, the Olympic and Paralympic flames both coming to our campus, and Mexican athletes training with us, Swansea University has played its part in a spectacular summer of sporting success.

Three of our students were selected for the Great Britain team at the Paralympics.  History student Gemma Almond, competing in her first Games, reached the final for two of her swimming events.   Fellow swimmer Matt Whorwood, from engineering, won a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle.  And David Smith, also from engineering, won a silver medal in the Boccia.   We are enormously proud of them all!

Former student Liz Johnson won a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke, and sports science graduate James Roberts was part of the TeamGB sitting volleyball team, his first Games competing in that sport.

It was even a Swansea graduate who co-ordinated the Olympic and Paralympic torch relays!  Claudine Ratnayke, who graduated in American Management Science in 1997, was responsible for planning the route, and supervising the flame on its journey. 

Pictures of the Olympic flame at the front gate of the University, where it was carried by, amongst others, Welsh hurdling legend Colin Jackson. 

Pictures of the Paralympic flame at the Welsh National Pool, part of our sports facilities, and where our students and other Paralympians, including gold-medal winner Ellie Simmonds, do their training.

See the Mexican paralympic team in Swansea for their pre-Games training camp.  They took time out to offer some coaching to local youngsters. 

The Games may be over, Swansea remains a major centre for sport.  Our facilities, used by Olympians, are open to all our students.  Our researchers across many disciplines, from child health to sports science, are working on projects to improve sport and fitness at all levels, from elite athletes to the general population.  It’s how we are playing our part in building a lasting legacy for London 2012.