Back and buzzing from some stunning Paris performances, six Olympics stars made Brunel University London their bolthole while they train for their next events.
Out of the spotlight, with a week’s downtime, the elite athletes made Brunel their base, so they could use its elite-level sport facilities to keep at their peak.
Running champions Marco Arop and Quincy Hall joined hurdlers Trevor Bassitt, Grant Holloway, Grace Stark and Shiann Salman as guests at the on-campus Lancaster Hotel. They now head to Poland and Switzerland for the 2024 Athletics Wanda Diamond League.
“The athletes were very generous with their medals, sharing them with staff and students for photo opportunities,” said James Budkiewicz, Brunel’s deputy director of commercial services.
Lancaster Hotel staff rubbed shoulders with Grant Holloway
At the Olympics, Canadian Marco Arop snatched a silver after crossing the finish line in second place by one hundredth of a second in the 800-metre final. Team USA's Quincy Hall just squeezed out Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith to win gold in a thrilling men's 400m final. Three-times World Champion Grant Holloway took gold in the men’s 110m hurdles and fellow American Trevor Bassitt made the men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals. Making her Olympic debut, the USA’s Grace Stark came fifth in the women’s 100m hurdles final and Jamaican Shiann Salman placed sixth in the women’s 400m hurdles final.
Marco Arop with staff and guests
“We are thrilled to have hosted such exceptional Olympic athletes here at Brunel University London,” said James. “Having them on campus has not only inspired our students and staff but also underscores the quality of our sports facilities.
“This visit shows commitment to supporting athletes at all levels, from grassroots to elite performance, and highlights Brunel as a hub for sporting excellence. We look forward to continuing our legacy of nurturing talent and fostering a vibrant sports culture here at Brunel.”
The Olympians left last Tuesday but plan to boomerang back to Brunel after competing in Switzerland and Poland.
One of the UK’s leading sports academies, Brunel University London acts as a year-round base for top athletes, including triple world record-holder Usain Bolt. Its facilities include an indoor and outdoor track, performance gym and commercial gym. And former Olympics medallist Linford Christie is among its athletics coaches.
Grant Holloway (left) and James Budkiewicz (right)
Reported by:
Hayley Jarvis,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268176
hayley.jarvis@brunel.ac.uk