The University of Hull and Team GB partnership aims to demonstrate the diversity of the UK’s most loved sports team through the athletes’ varied backgrounds and personalities with stories that the nation can relate to on the journey to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
This new content series features three-time Olympic rowing champion, Pete Reed where he shares his memories of three Olympic Games including being a part of Super Saturday with the men’s gold medal-winning coxless four at London 2012. Pete also shares the emotional experience of suffering a spinal stroke last year, which left him paralysed from the waist down, and talks through his inspiring journey of physical and mental recovery.
Over nine weeks, Chinyanganya is interviewing a host of inspiring Team GB athletes and Olympic medal winners, including: Ellie and Becky Downie (gymnastics), Rebecca Adlington (swimming), Ed Clancy (cycling), Denise Lewis (athletics), Maddie Hinch (hockey), Max Whitlock (gymnastics), Ellen White (football) and Lutalo Muhammad (taekwondo).
Commenting on the launch of The Moments that Made Me, Team GB’s Digital Communications Manager, Ed Langford, said: “We are fortunate to be represented by such a diverse and talented group of individuals. In teaming up with our Official University Partner – the University of Hull –we’re delighted to have developed a platform where the athletes can tell their unique stories and inspire our fans, especially at a time where we are without the Olympic Games.
“It has also been good to hear that students at the University have been sharing their own ’Moments that Made Us’. Be that the moment they found their friendship group at university or battling against difficult personal circumstances and won through during their studies – I am sure they will be inspiring stories to prospective students who are considering going to university.”
Anja Hazebroek, Director of Student Recruitment and Marketing at the University of Hull, said: “At a time this Summer when we all should have been watching and celebrating Team GB perform in Tokyo, we have been delighted to have worked with them to develop their very first podcast series, with some of the most inspirational athletes from past Olympic Games.
“Much like the journey for athletes in getting to the Olympics, we know that coming to university is a journey and that in many ways the emotions, the highs and the lows experienced by both athletes and students are similar. By sharing some of the extraordinary moments that made these athletes who they are, we hope their stories will not only resonate with students and those looking to attend university in the future but with people of all ages, enabling them to reflect on their own defining moments and enjoy reliving Olympic and other sporting memories.”
All episodes will be available to listen and download via all major podcast platforms including iTunes, Google Play and Spotify as well as through Team GB’s SoundCloud account.
Access the podcast series here.