Friday, 26 July 2024
A community champion who has gifted an Olympic torch from the 2012 Games to the University of Nottingham, says she hopes it will help to inspire athletes of the future to achieve their sporting ambitions.
Beeston resident and former University of Nottingham staff member Barbara Green was one of 8,000 torch bearers who helped to carry the Olympic flame on its journey to London after being nominated by Nottingham City Councillor Chris Gibson for being an exceptional example of community spirit.
Knowing what the moment meant to her, Barbara’s family rallied round to buy the torch for her afterwards, meaning she was able to keep it and her torch bearing uniform as precious mementoes from an unforgettable day.
But after embarking on a mission to de-clutter and downsize her home, she reached the difficult decision that the torch should not be stored away, but kept somewhere where its beauty and true significance could be appreciated.
As a former member of the domestic team at the university’s Derby Hall of Residence with many fond memories of working with students and staff, she immediately thought of the university’s connections with sporting excellence.
From left: Matt Nicholson, Club and Coach Development Manager at UoN Sport, Barbara Green, Marcus King, Senior Development Manager, Engineering, and formerly Donor Relations Manager, Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office.
Now thanks to her kind donation, the torch has found a new home at the university’s flagship sporting venue, the David Ross Sports Centre on University Park. It takes pride of place in the trophy display cabinet which is part of the Sporting Hall of Fame, acknowledging students who have gone on to achieve success at an international level.
Speaking ahead of the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Barbara said: “I never imagined that I would have the opportunity to carry the torch out of Nottingham Castle as part of the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, I was so proud.
“When I made the decision to donate the torch, many of my family and friends who knew how much it meant to me, asked ‘why now?’ I’m getting older and health issues restrict what I can do but now is the right time for it to go on to inspire others and show them that they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.
I want the next generation of young athletes to see it as they walk through the doors of sports centre and for it to give them that extra push to work hard and follow their dreams.
Dan Tilley, Director of Sport at the University of Nottingham, said: “From our very first Olympian John Dudderidge who competed at the 1936 Berlin games in the Canoe event to our latest Team GB medallists, canoe slalom athlete David Florence and rower Melanie Wilson, the University of Nottingham has a long and proud association with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We are very grateful to Barbara for this incredibly precious gift, a symbol of the enduring spirit of the most prestigious sporting event in the world. This will mean so much to all our athletes who train here at the David Ross Sports Village but most especially to our elite athletes, who I am sure will be spurred on by its presence to reach the pinnacle in their chosen sport.”
Among those hoping to excel at this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris will be a number of athletes with University of Nottingham connections, including current and former students.
Student Conor Williamson has been selected to represent Great Britain as a part of the Men’s Field Hockey squad, continuing his remarkable progress in recent years, while vet medicine student Olivia Bates will be part of Team GB, after being selected as a reserve for the rowing squad.
Nottingham students competing at the 2024 Paralympic Games will be Sophie Unwin (para cycling) and Tim Jeffery (para shooting) who just been selected for Team GB.
As well as representation within Team GB, Nottingham will also see alumna Nike Lorenz captain her country – Germany - at these Olympics Nike, a former sport scholar who graduated MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management in 2022, has previous Olympic pedigree having claimed bronze in Brazil eight years ago, and captaining the side in Tokyo 2020.
Alongside those who have studied at the university, Nottingham is proud to be connected to many high-performing athletes through our partnerships. One of these is with British Weight Lifting, which has strengthened our relationship with Team GB star Emily Campbell. Nottingham born Emily has made our High Performance Zone at David Ross Sports Village her training base, whilst forging strong relationships with our Sports Injury Clinic which saw her become a staff member there for a period of time.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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