BEIJING OLYMPIAN HAWKS

I have no doubt missed others (please email me on mdc35 with correctons) but the following Hawks have been involved (or will) at the 2008 Olympics - currently being held in Beijing.

TOM JAMES (CUBC 2002-2007)
****TOM JAMES WINS GOLD IN THE COXLESS FOURS AT BEIJING******
See the BBC website here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7564988.stm
Hawk of the year 2006-7, Tom James, has made it into the flagship British boat. So far the quartet qualified comfortably for the semi and then resoundingly upped a gear in the semi to qualify impressively for the final to be held on Saturday morning (UK time). Tune into BBC1 from 0830 on Saturday morning to catch this and several other rowing finals featuring British interest. GB haven't lost the coxless four since 1996 do the pressure is on. good luck Tom!


ANDY BADDELEY (CUAC 2000-2004)
Andy Baddeley, though not a resident for a few years, is still the pride of the university athletics club, and has been the UK number one ranked 1500m for three years now. After finishing 9th in last year's world championships Andy was looking to better this in the Olympic final after some recent promising performances beating some of the world's top names. Having made the final in impressive form (coming through a loaded and very competitive semi-final) 'Badders' managed another 9th place, the best performance by a british middle/long distance runner in the games. Despite this Andy was a little disappointed, though perhaps his tough semi took a little too much out of him. Nonetheless he is keen and a good tip for 2012.

ALEX O'CONNELL (CUFC 2006-9)
This year's recently crowned 'Hawk of the Year' went to Beijing to compete in the men's sabre and faced a higher ranked Russian in the opening bout. After finding himself down 11-14 with the first to 15 to win Alex fought back to 14-14 but was defeated on the last blow by the Russian.
See Alex's interview here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/fencing/7556378.stm