St Mary's Athlete Charlie Grice heading into Olympic 1500m Final

Photo by Mark Shearman An Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC) athlete from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, will run in the Olympic Final of the men’s 1500m at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Charlie Grice took fifth place in the first semi-final of the men's 1500m in Rio to secure a place in the final. Charlie, who is also a recent Sport Science graduate of St Mary’s, completed the semi-finals in 3:40:05, just over a quarter of a second behind the Kenyan Asbel Kiprop, who won the race in 3:39:73. He finished ahead of his Team GB teammate Chris O'Hare who put in a valiant effort but unfortunately missed out on qualification. Director of Sport Andrew Reid-Smith said, “Director of Sport Andrew Reid-Smith said, “This is Charlie's first Olympics and it's a real achievement to have made the final. However, he won't be settling for this, he's running well and will be backing himself to win a medal. St Mary’s has worked with Charlie for a number of years and it has been a privilege to see his form improve in the run up to Rio.” St Mary’s has a proud history of Olympic and Paralympic success. The University’s sporting alumni include Mo Farah, the Rio 2016 Gold Medallist and London 2012 double gold medallist and GB’s best ever distance runner, Rebecca Romero, an Olympic medallist in two different sports rowing and cycling making her one of GB’s greatest ever Olympians. Moe Sbihi, Rio 2016 Gold Medallist and London 2012 Bronze Medallist and World Champion Rower is almost amongst our alumni while Dave Weir, winner of four gold medals at the London Paralympics, trains at St Mary’s using the world-class facilities and support services. As part of St Mary’s contribution to the London Games the University supported athletes from ten different nations and provided Pre Games Training Camps for China, South Africa, Japan and Ireland. Based on London 2012 medals won St Mary’s finished sixth, the highest placed London institution, in Podium’s league table for universities. Lord Coe, the chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and President of the IAAF, opened St Mary’s latest sports facilities. International athletes competing at the Games used these facilities, which continue to provide a sporting legacy for students, staff and local community alike.