University of Surrey student wins double gold at BUCS Championships
Tuesday 18 May 2010
University of Surrey Business Management Undergraduate Margaret Adeoye has returned from the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Outdoor Athletics Championships 2010 in Bedford with two gold medals after winning the women’s 100m and 200m finals.
Adeoye, who is currently in her final year of study, delivered a remarkable sprint performance for the University of Surrey in this year’s outdoor track event, with successes elsewhere largely dominated by more specialist sports universities such as Loughborough, Bath, Leeds and Brunel.
“To be honest I’m still in shock," said Adeoye. “Not only did I get double gold but I also ran two personal best times of 11.77s and 23.90s. I went there as the underdog with other athletes highly tipped to win. The 100m final was really tight at the end, even though I lead most of the way, but I managed to come out on top. In the 200m I felt great as I had just won the 100m, and this gave me so much more confidence. I ran the heats for the 200m a lot faster than everyone else, so I knew I could possibly get the double. I just focused on winning and that’s what I did!”
Looking back on her recent success, Adeoye was quick to praise new trainers Ron Roddan and former British sprinter Linford Christie, along with the new sports and training facilities at the multi-million pound Surrey Sports Park.
“I have been training six days a week with Linford Christie and Ron Roddan, who have both changed me mentally - I feel like a new me. The new facilities at Surrey Sports Park and the support I get from some of the staff over there has been amazing. The opening of Surrey Sports Park has most definitely come at the right time for me, and just stepping in there motivates me to train even harder.”
Mark Garfoot, Performance Sport Manager at Surrey Sports Park, was delighted with Adeoye’s achievement, and hopes for future successes at the University. He said: “I’m so pleased for Margaret. Hopefully she stays continues to use Surrey Sports Park to support her Olympic ambitions. If she continues with this level of performance, she has a real chance of gaining funding through the Olympic programme, and even an outside chance of the Commonwealth Games. She has now set the tone for the type of athletes we want to attract to the University of Surrey, and hopefully we can see more student champions at Surrey in the near future."
Media Enquiries
Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: +44 (0)1483 689191, or Email mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk