University honours 'inspirational' Olympians

Alex Yee said he came to Leeds to "learn from the best" in triathlon

Three Olympians who studied in Leeds have returned to their former university to receive honorary doctorates for their achievements.

Leeds Beckett University honoured weightlifter Emily Campbell and triathletes Alex Yee and Georgia Taylor-Brown at a ceremony alongside almost 8,000 graduates at the First Direct Arena.

Campbell was awarded for service to sport and advocacy for inclusion, while Yee and Taylor-Brown were recognised for their achievements including winning Olympic gold.

Yee said: "For me, I had to come to Leeds, I knew the best in the world trained here, and I wanted to surround myself with the best in the world, and learn from them."

The 27-year-old, who grew up in London, is triathlon's most successful Olympian with two golds, a silver and a bronze.

He is the reigning Olympic and world triathlon champion, winning both titles in the same year in 2024. He graduated from Leeds Beckett with a BSc in sport and exercise science.

He said: "It was such a massive honour to receive this.

"Leeds Beckett gave me a chance because I crashed during my A-level attempts, and they were the ones who gave me a chance and allowed me to come to university, so I am really grateful to them."

He said he thought it was a joke when the email arrived in the junk folder of his inbox - "much like when I received my MBE!" he said.

Georgia Taylor-Brown is originally from Sale in Greater Manchester

Taylor-Brown, who is a triple Olympic medallist, said: "It's a strange feeling, I didn't expect it, it's super strange but so, so special."

She added: "I've lived in Leeds for 13 years and I graduated 10 years ago, and I have used the university ever since I graduated just for sports, and heat chamber sessions, testing, all my medical testing, physiology testing - everything.

"It feels very special and surreal to have this honorary doctorate given to me."

The 31-year-old, originally from Sale in Greater Manchester, said she chose to study sport and exercise science in Leeds because of its reputation for triathlon.

"The facilities here are just incredible, and it has just got better and better," she said.

"We have the Brownlee Centre now with the outdoor cycle track, we have our own gym, we have physio rooms, it is perfect and I never wanted to leave."

Emily Campbell is the first British weightlifter to win five consecutive European titles

Campbell, 31, from Nottinghamshire, claimed an Olympic bronze medal in the women's +81kg category at the 2024 Paris Games.

That was her second Olympic medal, as she won silver at the Tokyo Games, and she has since made history as the first British weightlifter to win five consecutive European titles.

She said: "I have a lot of memories in Leeds and it definitely shaped me to be the person that I am, so it's very nice to be back here."

Campbell graduated from Leeds Beckett with a sport science degree in 2016.

Prof Peter Slee, vice chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: "On behalf of Leeds Beckett University, I would like to congratulate these inspirational and distinguished individuals on their achievement.

"I am delighted that we are recognising diverse accomplishments and talent which have such significant impact locally, nationally and globally.

"Their successes provide inspiration for this year's graduating students."

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