Athletes at St Mary’s University Selected for 2014 Commonwealth Games

A number of athletes associated with St Mary’s University, Twickenham have been confirmed as part of the England, Scotland, Jersey and Isle of Man athletics teams to compete in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. A total of 21 athletes, all current St Mary’s students, alumni or from the University’s Endurance, Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC), will form part of the teams competing at the Games, which is being held from 23rd July to 3rd August in Glasgow. The announcement has listed St Mary’s athletes from across a number of disciplines, including alumni Mo Farah (double Olympic Gold medallist), Andrew Osagie (2014 World Indoor 800m Bronze medallist) and Steph Twell (2010 Commonwealth 1500m Bronze medallist). St Mary’s has a strong reputation in supporting elite athletes as part of its EPACC programme and has recently launched a new scholarship scheme in conjunction with the Mo Farah Foundation, which will offer financial support to four student athletes each year. St Mary’s Director for Sport commented, “This is an incredibly high number of athletes to be selected; it reflects the strength of athletics at St Mary’s particularly in the endurance running events where the EPACC provides a world-class programme. We are delighted for all the athletes and wish them every success at the Games.” The full list of St Mary’s athletes selected to represent England, Scotland Jersey and the Isle of Man are: England: Andrew Osagie - 800m (St Mary’s Alumnus and EPACC athlete, 800m London 2012 Olympic Semi-Finalist and 800m 2014 World Indoor Bronze medallist) Charlie Grice - 1500m (Sport Science and Management Studies Student and EPACC athlete, European U23 Championship Silver medallist) Mo Farah - 5000m and 10,000m (St Mary’s Alumnus and EPACC athlete, 5000m and 10,000m 2012 Olympic Gold medallist) Andy Vernon - 5000m (St Mary’s alumnus and EPACC athlete, 5000m 2011 World University Games Gold medallist) Chris Thompson – 10,000m (EPACC athlete, 5000m 2010 European Championships Silver medallist) Andy Turner – 110m hurdle (110m hurdle 2011 World Championships Bronze medallist) Amir Williamson – Hammer (St Mary’s alumnus, Southern Inter County Championships Gold medallist) Martin Brockman – Decathlon (Mo Farah Academy scholarship student, 2010 Commonwealth Games Decathlon Bronze medallist) David Weir - 1500m T54 (EPACC athlete, Six times Paralympic Gold medallist) Emelia Gorecka - 5000m (EPACC athlete, 2013 European Junior Cross Country Champion) Jo Pavey - 5000m and 10,000m (EPACC athlete, London 2012 Olympic finalist) Julia Bleasdale – 10,000m (EPACC athlete, London 2012 Olympic finalist) Harry Aikines-Aryeety – 100m (St Mary’s alumnus, 2009 World Championships 100m x relay Bronze medallist) Jemma Simpson – 1500m (St Mary’s alumna and EPACC athlete, 800m 2010 5th at the European Championships) Jade Lally – Discus (St Mary’s alumna, 2009 European U23 Bronze medallist and a 2010 Commonwealth finalist) Scotland: Andy Frost – Hammer (St Mary’s alumnus, 2013 British Championship Gold medallist) Steph Twell - 5000m (St Mary’s alumna and EPACC athlete, 1500m 2010 Commonwealth Bronze medallist) Beth Potter - 5000m and 10,000m (St Mary’ current student and EPACC athlete, 5000m 2011 British Championships Bronze medallist) Lennie Waite - 3000m Steeple Chase (EPACC athlete, 3000m steeple chase 2011 British Championships Gold medallist ) Jersey: Zane Duquemin – shot and discus (St Mary’s alumnus, shot 2013 4th at the European U23 Championships) Isle of Man: Keith Gerrard – 10,000m (St Mary’s alumnus and EPACC athlete, 2013 British Athletic Championships Silver medallist)