Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Beijing Olympics 2008

News from Beijing

Williams’ medal hopes dashed by rain
Claire Williams finished fifth in the F12 Discus after a downpour affected her medal chances in Beijing.
Issued on September 16, 2008
US thrower steals Greaves’ discus crown
World record holder Dan Greaves has had to settle for bronze in the F44 Discus at his third Paralympic Games.
Issued on September 15, 2008
Stodel and crew finish sixth overall
An excellent final day of racing for student Hannah Stodel and her crew in the three-person keelboat wasn’t enough to reach the podium on the final day of action at Beijing’s Qingdao sailing centre.
Issued on September 15, 2008
Loose strap ruins West’s Paralympic hopes
Dan West’s hopes of a Paralympic Games medal in the F33-4/52 shot final were dashed when a strap holding his chair came loose during his third throw and he fell to the ground injuring his thigh and shin.
Issued on September 14, 2008
Wheelchair women out at quarterfinals
Britain’s women’s wheelchair basketball team featuring graduate Clare Strange are out of the Paralympics following a late defeat by Japan.
Issued on September 12, 2008
Stodel drops to eighth spot in Sonar
Student Hannah Stodel and her team have dropped to eighth in the Three Person Keelboat (Sonar) on day four of competition at the Qingdao sailing centre.
Issued on September 12, 2008
British women through to quarterfinals
The British women’s wheelchair basketball squad sit towards the bottom of group A at the end of the four-match preliminary round.
Issued on September 11, 2008
Disappointing sixth for Loughborough thrower
Loughborough based thrower Kenny Churchill has finished a disappointing sixth in the F37/38 Javelin, failing to reach the Paralympic podium for the first time in his 16-year career.
Issued on September 9, 2008
Sixth spot for West in Discus final
Loughborough-based athlete Dan West has finished sixth in the Paralympic discus final on the opening night of action at the Beijing Birds Nest.
Issued on September 8, 2008
Follow the Paralympics with extensive TV coverage
Paralympic supporters can keep up with all the action at the Beijing Games online and on the BBC this September.
Issued on September 4, 2008
Loughborough eight in Beijing for Paralympic Games
Eight Loughborough students, graduates and University-based athletes will represent Britain in three different sports at the Beijing Paralympics starting this week (6 September).
Issued on September 3, 2008
Silver and bronze for largest ever Loughborough contingent
Loughborough collected silver and bronze at the Olympics as a 48-strong University group represented four nations in six different disciplines at the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
Issued on September 1, 2008
Near misses for Loughborough’s athletes on final night
It was a night of near misses for Loughborough’s Team GB contingent as Martyn Rooney and Lisa Dobriskey took fourth in their respective finals while Nicola Sanders finished fifth as part of the women’s 4x400m relay.
Issued on August 23, 2008
Middleton goal helps hockey to fifth place finish
Student Barry Middleton scored his second goal in Beijing to help Britain’s men’s hockey to its best Olympic finish since the Gold Medal winning performance of 1988.
Issued on August 23, 2008
Wainwright is seventh in kayak final
Kayaker Lucy Wainwright finished seventh in the final of the women’s K1 500m race on Saturday afternoon.
Issued on August 23, 2008
Second chance for Rooney in 400m relay
Martin Rooney has a second stab at the Olympic podium tomorrow after helping qualify Britain’s 4x400m team to the final.
Issued on August 22, 2008
World ranking boost for women with sixth place finish
Lucilla Wright came off the bench again as Great Britain women finished sixth in the 2008 Olympic hockey tournament.
Issued on August 22, 2008
Dobriskey and Kwakye make finals as Rooney finishes sixth
Thursday’s evening athletics session provided a bumper night for Loughborough’s athletes as Lisa Dobriskey and Jeanette Kwakye both secured spots in this weekend’s finals.
Issued on August 21, 2008
Wainwright comeback claims berth in flatwater final
Lucy Wainwright has qualified for the final of the K1 500m flatwater canoe after a strong second half comeback.
Issued on August 21, 2008
Olympic silver for Davies in marathon swim
Loughborough University swimmer David Davies has won silver in the inaugural open water 10km marathon.
Issued on August 21, 2008
Rooney books place in final eight
Loughborough’s Martyn Rooney set a lifetime best in the 400m semis to qualify for Thursday’s final at his Olympic debut.
Issued on August 19, 2008
Middleton scores in draw with reigning champs
Loughborough student Barry Middleton scored in Team GB’s impressive 3-3 draw with world number ones and reigning Olympic Champions Australia in their final pool match of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Issued on August 19, 2008
Wainwright paddles to semi finals
Lucy Wainwright battled her way to the semi-final of the women’s K1 500m heat at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park, near Beijing, on Tuesday.
Issued on August 19, 2008
Loughborough’s duo disappointed with performances
Loughborough triathletes Will Clarke and Tom Don have finished out of the medals at today’s Olympic Triathlon.
Issued on August 19, 2008
Sayers through to javelin finals
Graduate Goldie Sayers has qualified for final of the women’s javelin – her throw of 62.99m enough to place her in the leading group for Thursday’s (August 21) medal competition.
Issued on August 19, 2008
Hockey women in 5th place play-off
Lucilla Wright came off the bench in Britain’s 0-0 encounter with the USA as her side secured it’s spot in the 5th/6th place play-off at the Beijing Olympics.
Issued on August 18, 2008
Rooney and Turner through to sprint semis
Martyn Rooney won his 400m heat to qualify seventh fastest into tomorrow evening’s semi final on a day that four Loughborough athletes were in action at Beijing’s Olympic Stadium.
Issued on August 18, 2008
Mixed results in women’s triathlon
Two Loughborough linked triathletes went head to head in today’s Olympic final with graduate Jessica Harrison coming out on top with a 12th place finish.
Issued on August 18, 2008
Best performance for Kwakye in 100m final
Graduate Jeanette Kwakye finished sixth in tonight’s Olympic 100m final as fellow alumni Lee McConnell and Nicola Saunders were knocked out at the 400m semis.
Issued on August 17, 2008
Hockey hope for fifth place playoff
Great Britain pulled back a late goal through Matt Daly to rescue a point from their fourth match in their Olympic campaign as they struggled to break down a gritty Canada.
Issued on August 17, 2008
Hong to referee Olympic semi final
Loughborough student Una Hong has been selected as the referee in the Olympic women’s football semi final between Germany and Brazil.
Issued on August 17, 2008
Recent injury impacts on Radcliffe
The effects of a recent stress fracture were evident as graduate Paula Radcliffe struggled at today’s Olympic marathon, finishing 23rd in an emotional race.
Issued on August 17, 2008
Records fall in final swim session
Loughborough’s swimmers set European and British record’s on the final day of action at Beijing’s Water Cube.
Issued on August 17, 2008
Women move to third with second win
Loughborough graduate Lucilla Wright came off the bench in British women’s second victory of the pool stages of the Olympic Games.
Issued on August 16, 2008
Lifetime best sees Kwakye through to semis
Loughborough graduate Jeanette Kwakye has set a lifetime best to qualify for the semi final of the women’s 100m.
Issued on August 16, 2008
Simmonds lowers national record as Adlington claims gold again
Lizzie Simmonds has lowered her own British record in the pool with an outstanding performance in the 200m Backstroke.
Issued on August 16, 2008
Second hockey win for Loughborough six
Loughborough’s super six all started in today’s hockey win over bottom-placed South Africa.
Issued on August 15, 2008
European record for Haywood and co
Kate Haywood was part of a British medley relay team to set a European record in tonight’s heats.
Issued on August 15, 2008
Corrie in first Olympic final
Loughborough student Heather Corrie has reached the finals at her Olympic debut.
Issued on August 15, 2008
Bimson out of Olympics with injury
Loughborough graduate Jennie Bimson is out of the Olympics following an injury to her calf muscle.
Issued on August 15, 2008
Medley pair miss medals while Simmonds secures final spot
James Goddard and Liam Tancock were unable to improve on their heat swims and finished out of the medals in today’s 200m Individual Medley final.
Issued on August 15, 2008
Women back on track with win over Blacksticks
Loughborough’s Lucilla Wright came off the bench to help her GB women’s hockey side to their first victory of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Issued on August 14, 2008
Simmonds sets British record in heats
Loughborough University swimmer Lizzie Simmonds has qualified second fastest for tomorrow’s 200m Backstroke semi finals in a new British record.
Issued on August 14, 2008
Canoe slalom postponed
The semi-finals and finals of the women's K1 (canoe slalom) event have been postponed due to electric storms.
Issued on August 14, 2008
Tancock and Goddard reach finals
Loughborough’s Liam Tancock and James Goddard are both through to tomorrow morning’s finals in the 200m Individual Medley.
Issued on August 14, 2008
Hockey lose out last minute to the Netherlands
All six of Loughborough’s hockey contingent were in action in a tight match that saw them lose by the smallest margin to 2004 silver medallists the Netherlands.
Issued on August 13, 2008
Mixed fortunes for Loughborough canoeists
Loughborough student Heather Corrie has qualified for tomorrow’s canoe slalom semi finals while a missed gate for graduate Fiona Pennie means her Olympic journey is over.
Issued on August 13, 2008
Medley pair through to semis
Loughborough pair Liam Tancock and James Goddard are through to tomorrow’s 200m Individual Medley finals.
Issued on August 13, 2008
Sixth spots for swimmers in finals
University swimmers were in action in two freestyle finals this morning with the men’s 4x200m team setting a new British Record.
Issued on August 13, 2008
More records for Loughborough's relay swimmers
University swimmers Ross Davenport and David Carry have helped set a new British record in the men’s 4x200m Freestyle.
Issued on August 12, 2008
Hockey draw opens GB women’s points score
Loughborough’s graduates were part of a British team to open their points score with a 2-2 draw against world No2 Argentina.
Issued on August 12, 2008
Honorary graduate lights Olympic flame at opening ceremony
A Loughborough University alumnus and one of China’s best known sporting figures had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch on its final journey at the opening ceremony of the Games on Friday.
Issued on August 12, 2008
Student Hong to referee second Olympic fixture
Loughborough student Una Hong will referee her second Olympic football match tonight (12 August) when Nigeria play Brazil at the Workers Stadium in Beijing.
Issued on August 12, 2008
British record for Tancock in backstroke final
Liam Tancock has set a new British record in an outstanding 100m Backstroke performance in the Olympic pool.
Issued on August 12, 2008
University record for McClatchey
Loughborough student Caitlin McClatchey set a new University record in the 200m Freestyle heats this evening to secure her spot in tomorrow’s semi finals.
Issued on August 11, 2008
Hockey men win Olympic opener
A Loughborough hockey quintet were part of a British team to beat rivals Pakistan 4-2 in their opening match of the Olympic Games.
Issued on August 11, 2008
Jackson wins bronze in historic race for Britain
Loughborough-based swimmer Joanne Jackson has secured Olympic bronze in the women’s 400m Freestyle.
Issued on August 11, 2008
Tancock through to backstroke final
Student Liam Tancock will be in action in tomorrow’s 100m Backstroke final after qualifying sixth fastest in this morning’s semis.
Issued on August 11, 2008
Hockey women lose out to Germany
Great Britain’s women were left to rue missed opportunities in Beijing earlier today after losing out 5-1 to reigning Olympic and European Champions Germany in their opening match of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Issued on August 10, 2008
Swim quartet through to semi finals
Four Loughborough swimmers have qualified for tomorrow’s semi finals after impressive performances on the second night of heats in Beijing.
Issued on August 10, 2008
Kellogg out of women’s doubles
Loughborough graduate Donna Kellogg and badminton partner Gail Emms have been knocked out of the women’s doubles on day one of the competition.
Issued on August 10, 2008
Brits break relay record again
Students Caitlin McClatchey and Mel Marshall were part of a team that lowered the British 4x100m Freestyle record for the second time in two days.
Issued on August 10, 2008
Brace of British records for Loughborough swimmers
Four Loughborough swimmers have achieved new British records on the opening night of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Issued on August 9, 2008
New training programme benefits Graduate Sayers
Loughborough graduate Goldie Sayers has laughed off an eventful journey to the Team GB preparation camp in Macau, with the assertion that she is in the best form of her life.
Issued on August 8, 2008
Olympic delight at last for student Heather Corrie
Loughborough PhD student Heather Corrie will make her Olympic debut in Beijing – at the age of 37.
Issued on August 8, 2008
Loughborough relay girls in good form for Games
Loughborough’s Caitlin McClatchey and Mel Marshall are part of a British 4x200m Freestyle squad looking forward to testing their relay credentials against the world’s best.
Issued on August 8, 2008
Avil awaits Olympic debut...and A level results
Loughborough-bound Hollie Avil makes her Olympic debut this month just days after receiving the results of her recent A levels.
Issued on August 7, 2008
Pennie aims for best in Beijing
With one week to go until her Olympic canoe slalom debut Loughborough graduate Fiona Pennie is looking for a best performance in Beijing.
Issued on August 6, 2008
Davies ready for open water debut
University-based swimmer David Davies is relishing the opportunity to compete at the inaugural Olympic 10k open water in two weeks time.
Issued on August 6, 2008
Largest ever Loughborough contingent ready for Beijing Games
A staggering 55 Loughborough students past and present and University-based athletes have been named in national teams for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Issued on August 6, 2008
Badminton players enjoy Olympic preparation in Loughborough
Britain’s Olympic badminton players have completed a 12-week training programme at Loughborough University as part of their final preparations ahead of the Games.
Issued on July 30, 2008
Graduate Woodward gains Games experience
Loughborough graduate and Team GB Deputy Chef de Mission (Sport) Sir Clive Woodward says he feels ‘lucky and privileged’ to be attending his first Olympic Games.
Issued on July 30, 2008
Fast LEAP meet for Beijing hopefuls
Three Olympic A standards and a British record fell at Loughborough University’s LEAP meet last night as athletes battled for qualification to next month’s Games.
Issued on July 18, 2008
Large Loughborough contingent named in Olympic squad
The British Olympic Association has named 14 of Loughborough’s finest in its first wave of competitors selected for its Team GB athletics squad.
Issued on July 16, 2008
Loughborough’s best on form at Beijing Trials
Student Martyn Rooney was one of eight Loughborough University athletes to claim gold at the Aviva National Championships and Olympic Trials in Birmingham at the weekend.
Issued on July 14, 2008
Hockey pair named GB vice captains for Beijing
A Loughborough University duo are to co-vice-captain the GB men’s hockey side at this summer’s Olympic Games.
Issued on July 11, 2008
University Sports Scholars invited onto British Olympic programme
Three Loughborough University sports scholars are to be given a invaluable insight into the Olympic Games in Beijing as part of Britain’s Olympic Ambition 2012 programme.
Issued on July 4, 2008
Graduate Strange named in wheelchair squad for Games
A Loughborough University graduate has been named in the British women’s wheelchair basketball team for the Beijing Paralympics.
Issued on July 1, 2008
Triathlon duo confirmed for Beijing
Loughborough student Will Clarke and University-based athlete Tim Don have today been officially named in Britain’s triathlon team for the Beijing Olympics.
Issued on June 27, 2008
Loughborough ten named in Team GB squads
Loughborough University players feature heavily in Britain’s men’s and women’s hockey squads named by the British Olympic Association (BOA) this week.
Issued on June 25, 2008
Duo make Olympic criteria in Madrid
Loughborough-based athletes Tim Don and Will Clarke have both achieved the Olympic Triathlon selection criteria with top six finishes at the Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup in Spain.
Issued on May 27, 2008
Quartet aim for Olympic qualification in Spain
Four Loughborough triathletes are amongst the country’s top 12 competitors hoping to secure a spot on Team GB with performances at the Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup this weekend (Sunday 25 May).
Issued on May 23, 2008
Graduate Kellogg makes third Olympic appearance
Loughborough graduate Donna Kellogg has been named in the British badminton squad for this summer’s Beijing Olympics.
Issued on May 22, 2008
Graduate Pennie bags Beijing canoe berth
Loughborough graduate Fiona Pennie will make her Olympic debut in Beijing after being named in Team GB’s canoe slalom squad.
Issued on May 21, 2008
Olympic pole vault medallist makes outdoor preparations at Loughborough
Pole vault’s Olympic bronze medallist Anna Rogowska has spent the last 10 days at Loughborough University to prepare for a busy outdoor season in the run-up to the Beijing Games.
Issued on May 15, 2008
World silver and Olympic open water spot for Loughborough-based Davies
Loughborough-based David Davies claimed silver at the FINA Open Water Swimming World Championships in Spain at the weekend to guarantee his nomination to Team GB for the inaugural Olympic 10km event.
Issued on May 6, 2008
Davies aims for Olympic open water qualification
Loughborough-based David Davies is hoping to add a spot in the first ever Olympic 10k swim to his personal programme for Beijing when he competes at the World Open Water Championships in Seville this weekend.
Issued on May 1, 2008
Simmonds switches Olympic preparation to Loughborough
British Champion Elizabeth Simmonds is set to train at Loughborough University as she sets her sights on the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Issued on April 18, 2008
Loughborough swimming eleven are Beijing-bound
Loughborough University’s largest ever contingent of swimmers will represent Great Britain at the Olympics following a series of outstanding performances at the British Trials in Sheffield this week.
Issued on April 18, 2008