Oxford Brookes University has praised the “extraordinary achievements” that saw members of their boat club pick up gold and bronze medals in the Paris Olympics.
Eight members of Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (OBUBC) picked up a medal in two rowing events last week.
The Team GB men’s eight won gold on Saturday (August 3) morning with three rowers and coxswain being OBUBC members.
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Rowers Rory Gibbs, Morgan Bolding, and Tom Digby, and coxswain Harry Brightmore helped the British eight finish in a time of 5:22:88 - just over a second ahead of their Dutch rivals, triggering emotional scenes among the crew with the USA finishing third.
This was the fifth successive Olympics in which Team GB’s Men’s Eights finished in the top three.
Also in the boat was Sholto Carnegie who attended The Cherwell School in Oxford while fellow crew member Tom Ford rows at the Leander Club in Henley.
The rest of the team were James Rudkin, Charles Elwes and Jacob Dawson.
Their success took the overall tally of Team GB rowing medals to its highest ever tally at an overseas Olympic Games.
The men’s eight victory came just two days after OBUBC rowers Oli Wilkes, David Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson clinched a bronze medal in the men’s coxless Four.
The team turned it around having started slowly and came from last place to finish on the podium.
The British crew swept past Italy 800 metres from home into third place, eventually settling for bronze with the United States taking gold and New Zealand silver.
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One of the United States rowers, Liam Corrigan, attended Oxford University and was based at Oriel College.
The British quartet brought the men’s coxless four back onto the medal podium after missing out in Tokyo 2020, after six successive Olympic Games a medal-winning boat.
Richard Spratley, director of rowing at Oxford Brookes University Boat Club, said: “We are immensely proud of our athletes' extraordinary achievements at the pinnacle of rowing in the Paris Olympics.
“Winning gold and bronze medals is a testament to their own hard work, sacrifices and dedication, as well as the strong rowing programme we have at Oxford Brookes University.
“The performances of Rory, Morgan, Tom, Harry, Oli, David, Matt, and Freddie have not only showcased their individual talents but also highlighted the strength and unity of our team.
“Their success on the world stage is an inspiration to all our rowers and reflects the high standards we strive for every day at OBUBC."
Following the men’s coxless four bronze medal win BBC commentator, Katie Smith, described it as "a very proud day for Oxford Brookes".
Oxford Brookes University Boat Club had previously had 12 former athletes with Olympic honours before the 2024 games.
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About the author
Rob is a digital reporter who covers a wide range of topics.
He joined the Oxford Mail in February 2023 having previously been at sister paper The Bucks Free Press for two years.
Rob completed a Sports Journalism degree before earning his NCTJ Diploma at Darlington College and can be found on X at @RobertFolker.
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