From Newcastle. For the Olympics.
As the Summer Olympics in Paris fast approach, we reflect on the achievements of our alumni Olympians and Paralympians over the years. Looking to the future, we are excited to share the news that a record number of our rowing alumni have been announced to compete in this year's Games.
4 July 2024
With the Paris Summer Olympics fast approaching, it's an opportune moment to reflect on the remarkable achievements of Newcastle University alumni who have competed on the world’s biggest stage. From the historic triumphs of long-distance runner Sir Brendan Foster to the recent successes of rowers like Tom Ford, James Rudkin, and Emily Ford, our alumni have left an indelible mark on Olympic and Paralympic history. This year, we proudly announce a record number of rowing alumni set to compete, underscoring Newcastle University's enduring legacy of excellence in sports. Join us as we celebrate the inspirational journeys and accomplishments of these exceptional athletes.
Meet our Olympic Runners
Sir Brendan Foster CBE (Honorary MEd, 1976)
Sir Brendan Foster is a British former long-distance runner. He has competed in three Olympic Games, most notably winning a Bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
He was awarded BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1974 after winning a Gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the European Championships and breaking the 3,000 metres World Record on his home track, Gateshead International Stadium.
Having taken part in the Round the Bays Race in 1979, a city to coastal route in New Zealand, Brendan envisioned bringing a similar experience to the North East and decided to establish the Great North Run. 12,264 runners joined the start line for the first race in 1981 and since then it has become a highlight in the North East’s sporting calendar, welcoming 60,000 participants annually – from professional athletes to amateur runners raising money for worthy causes.
Brendan was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1976 New Year Honours for services to athletics and promoted to Commander of the same Order (CBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours for services to sport. He was later knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to international and national sport and to culture in North East England.
Alan Lillington MBE (MBBS, 1956)
At just 19 years old, Alan Lillington competed as a British sprinter in the men’s 100 metres at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. He went on to represent England at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, finishing fourth in the relay race.
Alan studied medicine at King’s College, which later became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne following the dissolution of the federal University of Durham in 1963. He spent most of his career working as a paediatrician in Sunderland.
Meet our Olympic Rowers past and present
Ed Coode MBE (BSc Marine Biology 1997)
Ed Coode is a former British rower, who has represented Team GB at two Olympic Games. Ed rowed to victory at the 2004 Olympics in Athens winning a Gold medal in the men’s coxless four. Prior to this, he competed in Sydney at the 2000 Olympics rowing in the coxless pair and narrowly missed out on a Bronze medal.
Ed has also won two World Championships during his rowing career, first in 1999 and again in 2001.
He was part of the Newcastle University Boat Club during his time at university and played a crucial role in establishing the inaugural ‘Boat Race of the North’ on the River Tyne between Newcastle and Durham boat clubs, which has since become an annual fixture.
Ed announced that he was retiring from rowing in 2004 and went on to qualify as a solicitor.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2005 New Year Honours for his services to sport.
Alastair Heathcote (BSc Environmental Science & Agricultural Ecology, 2000)
Following Ed’s success, Alastair Heathcote made it to the rowing podium at the consecutive Olympic Games in Beijing. He was part of the men’s eight who won Silver.
Alistair was initially selected for Team GB’s senior squad in 2006 and won two Bronze medals the following year at the Rowing World Cup in Amsterdam and Rowing World Championships in Munich.
Rowers Tom Ford (BA Geography & Planning, 2014) and James Rudkin (BA Politics & History, 2015), were part of the men’s eight who won a Bronze medal, whilst Emily Ford (BA Fine Art, 2017) competed in the women’s eight.
During their time at university, they were all part of the Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC). Tom was captain of the men’s team in 2014, the following year James was captain of the men’s team and Emily was captain of the women’s team.
Tom first represented Team GB whilst still at university competing in the men’s eight at the U23 World Rowing Championships in 2013. James has been part of the team from an early age, competing at junior levels. They both joined the senior team in 2017. Since then, they have become double world champions winning Gold at both the 2022 and 2023 World Rowing Championships.
Emily joined the senior team a year after graduation in 2018 and made history at the World Championships at Belgrade in 2023, when she and teammate Esme Booth became the first British women to qualify two boats for an Olympic Games at the same regatta.
The trio will be heading to Paris to compete in this year’s Games alongside fellow alumni Lola Anderson, Will Stewart and James Robson, marking a record number of Newcastle University graduates representing Great Britain's rowing team at an Olympic Games. We wish them all of the best of luck!
Photo credit: Benedict Tufnell
Jonathan Edwards CBE (Honorary DCL, 2001)
Jonathan Edwards is a British triple jumper, who won a Gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and Silver at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
He is renowned for breaking the world record for the triple jump (not once but twice!) at the World Champions in 1995, jumping 18.29 m. He was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for this exceptional performance.
He was awarded an MBE in 1996 and a CBE in 2001 for his achievements.
Jonathan retired in 2003 and since then has regularly appeared on television as a sports commentator and presenter.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL (Honorary DCL, 2005)
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is a former British Paralympian who has competed in five Paralympic games, winning a staggering 11 Gold medals, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze. She made her Paralympic debut at the Seoul Games in 1988 where she won a Bronze medal in the 400 metres wheelchair race. At her final Paralympic Games at Athens in 2004, Tanni won two Gold medals in the 100 metres and 400 metres wheelchair races.
Tanni announced her retirement in 2007 after a successful career of holding over 30 world records. She was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Tanni has been a key advocate for disabled sport. In recognition of this, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1993 for service to athletics for the disabled. She was later appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2005, both for services to disabled sport. In 2010, Tanni became a life peer titled Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in Stockon-On-Tees.
Susannah Rodgers MBE (BA Modern Languages, 2005)
Susannah Rodgers is a British Paralympic swimmer who has represented Team GB at two Paralympic Games - London 2012 and Rio 2016.
At her Paralympic debut in London, Susannah won 3 Bronze medals in the 400 metres freestyle, 100 metres freestyle, and 4x100 metres freestyle relay. She built on her success at the following Games in Rio winning a Gold medal in the women’s 50 metres butterfly S7 and Bronze medals in the women’s 400 metres and 50 metres freestyle.
Throughout her career, Susannah has won a total of 30 international medals. She is also an advocate for disability, empowerment and inclusion, holding several Non-Executive Director, Ambassador and Patron roles.
In the 2017 New Year Honours, Susannah was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to swimming.
Meet our Rugby Olympian
Harry Glover (BA Politics & History, 2018) competed as part of Team GB’s rugby sevens squad. The team made it to the semi-finals, with a defeat to Argentina denying them of a Bronze medal.
He has also competed in the World Rugby Sevens Series as part of the England Sevens squad, winning two bronze and a silver medal.
Harry signed for Stade Français in 2021.