Triple Olympic champion Team GB gymnast Max Whitlock MBE performed a live pommel horse routine to a packed Middleton Hall as part of his visit to the University of Hull.
Max, who is the University’s official Team GB ambassador, spent a morning with local school and college students on Tuesday 23 November as part of an event hosted by the Schools and Colleges Engagement team and Hull Sport.
The nation’s most successful gymnast in history shared his inspirational story and took part in a series of competitive activities at the University’s Allam Sport Centre, with the students challenged to try and beat his score.
He followed up the session with a flawless pommel horse routine to a crowd of over 350 people, before sitting down with BBC presenter Kofi Smiles for an in-depth conversation into his career.
Max added a third Olympic gold medal to his collection at Tokyo 2020, in a thrilling pommel horse final which was the third most-watched event at the Games.
Speaking in Hull, Max said: “Thank you to everyone, from the schools and colleges to staff, students and members of the public, who has come out today as part of my visit to the University of Hull.
“I’ve had a fantastic day engaging with young people, performing a live pommel horse routine on stage, and giving an insight into the sport of gymnastics and my career so far.
Max first met with around 150 school and college students for an event hosted by the University’s Schools and College Engagement team and Hull Sport.
After a Q&A session with the University’s Mandeep Kaur, Max had photos taken with the group and joined students for a morning of competitive sports activities.
In the afternoon, over 350 people were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Max perform a pommel horse routine live on stage.
The event, ‘In Conversation with Max Whitlock MBE,’ was hosted by BBC Radio Humberside presenter Kofi Smiles.
Kofi chatted to Max on a range of subjects – spanning his career so far, the remarkable surge in popularity of gymnastics, mental health and advice on how to reach the top of your field.
Nicole Jensen, Team GB Project Manager at the University of Hull, said: “I would like to thank Max for making the day a truly unforgettable experience for everyone involved. It was wonderful to see the impact his visit had on the young people he met, as well as those who witnessed his stunning performance at Middleton Hall.
“We are incredibly proud to have Max as our Team GB Ambassador and to be the Official University Partner of Team GB. His route to the very top of world gymnastics is inspirational, and I am sure everyone who met and heard from him took something valuable away from the sessions.
Steven Hewitt, Head of School and Colleges Engagement at the University, said: “Max is an inspiration to so many people, not least the young students we work with. He demonstrates the power of hard work, resilience and commitment, qualities which we can all encourage.
“Our morning with Max gave school and college students not only a unique opportunity to spend time with an Olympic legend, but the activities they took part in will enrich their studies and inspire their future choices.
“We were absolutely delighted to be able to host Max’s visit to campus.”
Max’s visit to Hull is the latest in a series of events as part of the Team GB partnership. Most recently, the University welcomed BMX star Kye Whyte as part of a Black History Month programme of events as well as Tokyo 2020 Olympians Bryony Page and Bradly Sinden joining us in August as part of the I Am Team GB 5k Your Way event hosted by Hull Sport and the University of Hull.
The University is also this weekend hosting Daniel Bibby, Team GB rugby sevens fly-half, at its Open Day.
Visit our website for more information on the partnership with Team GB.