Meeting the Olympic elite
Published 31 October 2012
Athletes and academics from the 2012 Olympics were brought together by the University of Brighton to explain how science is helping win medals.
The evening presentation ‘The Science Behind Elite Sporting Performance’ was attended by Paralympic cyclist Darren Kenny OBE, a University of Brighton honorary graduate who won silver and bronze, and Dr Steve Ingham, head of physiology at the English Institute of Sport, who worked with Olympic champions including gold medal heptathlete Jessica Ennis.
Other speakers included GB triathlete Todd Leckie, a medical student at the university, and Dr Gary Brickley, senior lecturer in the School of Sport and Service Management and an exercise physiologist, who worked with Paralympians Sarah Storey OBE (four golds), David Stone MBE, University of Brighton alumnus (one gold, one bronze), and Darren Kenny OBE.
Left to right: Dr Emma Ross, Dr Steve Ingham, Darren Kenny OBE, Dr Gary Brickley and Todd Leckie
The evening was organised by Dr Emma Ross, senior lecturer in the university’s School of Sport and Service Management, which has been recognised internationally for cutting-edge research and testing of athletes.
She said: “The event was attended by athletes, coaches, students and academic staff from across the university. Speakers provided some useful information that those involved in both recreational and high performance sport could make use of. This ranged from optimising training strategies, to what supplements to take to avoid injury, overheating and fatigue.
“Attendees got a personal insight into the level of scientific support afforded to elite level athletes such as Jessica Ennis, Darren Kenny and the Brownlee brothers. All attendees left with a better understanding of how this scientific support can elevate athletes to Olympic champions.
“After the presentations, attendees were able to hold a real Paralympic medal, courtesy of Darren Kenny who brought along his silver and bronze medals form the London Paralympic Games.”