The Olympics
Meet our Olympic torchbearers On Sunday 17th June, three of Durham’s students, Steph Elliott, Naomi Hoogesteger and Kira Roberts will be carrying the Olympic Torch through County Durham as part of the 70 day Olympic Torch Relay across the UK. These three athletes represent the quality of sport at Durham as women’s sport at the University is ranked 2nd in the British Universities and Colleges Sport league table beating competitors such as Leeds Met and Bath universities. They have all represented Great Britain in their respective sports of hockey, rowing and fencing.
The stretch... If you would like to cheer our students on, Steph is covering a stretch in Peterlee, Kira in Sherburn and Naomi in Durham City.
Steph Elliott is an England U21 hockey player and is currently doing an undergraduate degree in Sport. She is honoured to be carrying the torch and said: “Throughout my time at Durham, not once did I think I would be captaining the University side, playing for England U21s or carrying the Olympic Torch. It’s down to the help of everyone around me, my family, friends and coach, who have really pushed me to achieve these things. I can’t believe that I was even considered to carry the Olympic Torch, but I’ll hopefully manage it without any embarrassment!”
Naomi Hoogesteger combines part-time postgraduate study with a teaching post in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Last year she broke the world record for the fastest Atlantic rowing crossing as the only female crew member. She completed the crossing in 31 days and 23 hours, raising over £40,000 for charities along the way. She said: “Although I am a firm believer that true inspiration to achieve must come from within, the support that I have received during my time at Durham, and in particular from my academic department and St Chad’s College, is unparalleled. Along the various sporting paths that I have taken, I have come to realise that having such a rock to rely upon is of utmost importance in order to achieve ambitions and dreams.” She is already planning her next challenge to canoe down the Amazon River in the summer of 2014 to set another world record.
Kira Roberts is currently doing a Masters degree in
English Literary Studies and is a top five British Fencer. In 2010 she won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and at the British Universities and College Sport Championships. She dreams of being placed amongst the top fencers in the world and competing in Rio Olympics in 2016. Carrying the torch means a great deal to her: “It represents the hope, support and passion that has led me so far in my fencing and will continue to lead me on. Carrying the torch will give me the opportunity to show all of those who have helped me, believed in me and continually supported me that they were not mistaken in doing so!”