Leeds Met and the London 2012 Olympics

One of the hottest medal prospects ahead of London 2012, Triathlon World Champion Alistair Brownlee, took Gold. Alistair is currently studying MSc Finance at our University and is coached by our former Director of Sport Malcolm Brown. Alistair competed alongside his brother Jonny who took Bronze.

Sport & Exercise Science graduate Sarah Barrow came 5th in the 10m Synchronised Dive, following an impressive season which has already seen her pick up European Championship Gold with her partner Tonia Couch. Sarah is coached in Leeds by former student Ady Hinchcliffe.

Congratulations to Laura Weightman who qualified in the 1500m semi-final, and achieved 11th position in the final. Laura trains at our University and in the north-east and is coached by Steve Cram.

University Sport Senior Coach and former Olympian Mick Hill received acclaim for Jessica Ennis's javelin performance when she achieved her personal best and won Gold in the heptathlon. Mick coaches Jess in the javelin at our Headingley Campus and supported her as she prepared for the Games.

Former BA (Hons) Business Studies with English as a Foreign Language student Vid Hidvegi competed for Hungary in the Pommel horse, and took eighth place.

Sports Performance graduate Brendan Boyce represented Ireland in the men's race walking event achieving a personal best and securing 29th position.

Sport performance student Johanna Jackson took part in the Women's 20km Race Walk.

Alumnus, Richard Buck was a reserve in the mens' 4 x 400m.

Leeds Met interns at the Games

63 of our students and alumni have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to work with global events company Incognitus as interns at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They are also working to gain an accredited Institute for Leadership and Management professional qualification as part of their 13-week internship scheme.

Patsy Robertshaw, Partnership Marketing Manager at our University, said: "The interns are gaining valuable real-life experience of working on a global event which is invaluable in helping them secure employment following the completion of their studies. The placement will allow them to develop key skills, gaining hands-on experience whilst making invaluable industry contacts."

To keep up to date with the latest news and pictures from the interns, visit their blog or follow them on Twitter.

Chinese on Campus

The city of Leeds was the training base for China's track and field team ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Approximately 50 athletes and officials were based at our University as they trained and acclimatised to the conditions in England shortly before the Olympics began on 27 July. View images of the team on campus here. Nancy Liu, a Chinese student studying MSc Sports and Exercise Nutrition has been volunteering in the community during the Diamond Jubilee and now assisting with the Chinese track and field team, see her blog here.

Coaching base to offer support and development during the Olympics

Some of Great Britain's most prominent coaches, including Jessica Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello, will come together during the 2012 Games to share their knowledge and celebrate the expertise that coaches bring to international sport.

The Global Coaches House is designed for anyone who coaches other people to excel in their field during the 2012 Games. The project has been commissioned by Leeds Metropolitan University in partnership with the International Council for Coach Education (ICCE). The ground-breaking project will be based at the London Campus of Limkokwing University for the duration of the Olympic Games. The Global Coaches House Paralympic programme will run from 3-6 September at Eversheds, London.

The daily programme at Limkokwing University in London, which will continue from 27 July-12 August, is due to kick off at 11:00 on 27 July. Events will include the launch of Version 1.1 of the International Sport Coaching Framework, a Leeds Metropolitan University Open Day with special guests and coaches, and the formal closing of the House to coincide with the closing ceremony of the Games. A typical day at the Global Coaches House will involve coaching sessions and master classes with high-level keynote speakers. There will be special event days held including a day dedicated to rugby coaching and another to 'winning women' in coaching.

The project will emphasise the performance development and high performance domains and will celebrate the expertise that coaches bring to international sport, as well as providing a platform for networking and the sharing of knowledge and skills.

Former international rugby player and Dean of Leeds Metropolitan's Carnegie Faculty, Gareth Davies, is one of the confirmed speakers. He commented: "I am delighted to be part of the Global Coaches House. The house will provide an important opportunity for learning, networking and the bringing together of coaches from around the world. This project also highlights the value of partnership working and Leeds Metropolitan University is very proud to work in partnership with the ICCE and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to stage this event during both the London Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Alongside its free programme for coaches, the Global Coaches House will run a paid-for programme for international performance coaches who are preparing for a future Olympic or major event coaching role. The programme, which costs £100 per five-day cycle, will aim to prepare coaches who are next in line to play a part in the coaching of Olympic athletes.

Coaches and coach developers interested in taking part should email info@globalcoacheshouse.net. For further information about Global Coaches House visit www.globalcoacheshouse.net.

Celebrating the Games

Visit the full set of images and more photos on our Flickr gallery