International elite sport at St Mary's University

St Mary's University, Twickenham

There is a proud history of international sporting success at St Mary's University.

Good University Guide 2024. Top 10 for student experience

Good University Guide 2024. Top 5 for teaching quality

Competition history

Paris 2024 Games

14 St Mary's athletes have been selected for Paris 2024.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics

10 St Mary's athletes were selected for Tokyo 202

Doha 2019 World Championships

Five St Mary's athletes were selected to represent their country at Doha 2019

Commonwealth Games 2018

15 St Mary's athletes were selected to represent their country at Gold Coast 2018

London 2017 World Championships

Athletes from 14 countries trained at St Mary's in the build-up to London 2018

Rio 2016 Olympics

If St Mary's was a country, we'd have finished 25th at the 2016 Olympics

Rugby World Cup 2015

St Mary's was selected as the training base for New Zealand and South Africa

London 2012 Olympics

Athletes from 10 nations trained at St Mary's as part of their London 2012 preparation

Beijing 2008 Olympics

Two St Mary's alumni won medals at the 2008 Olympic Games

Hall of Fame for Sport

David Bedford OBE

10,000 metres - world record holder

David Bedford is a former 10,000m world record holder and up until 2012 was race director for the Virgin London Marathon, which is a partner in St Mary’s highly successful Endurance Performance and Coaching Centre (EPACC).

Rebecca Romero MBE

Rowing and cycling - double Olympic medallist

Rebecca Romero studied Sport Science at St Mary’s and was a member of the University’s rowing team. She is a double Olympic medallist after securing silver in quadruple sculls in Athens 2004 and a cycling Gold in the individual pursuit in Beijing 2008.

Sir Mo Farah

10,000 and 5,000 metres - Double double Olympic Gold medallist

Former student Mo Farah lived and trained at St Mary’s for 10 years before relocating to the USA in 2011 and secured Gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m events at London 2012. Mo became the first British man to win two Olympic track and field titles at the same Games since 1924.

Matt Wells

Rowing - Beijing Olympic Bronze medallist

Matt Wells studied at St Mary’s and was an active participant in the University’s sporting community during his time as a student. He won a Bronze double sculls Olympic medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and is credited with leading the resurgence in British men’s sculling.