Tokyo Olympics OC Sporting Success

TOKYO OLYMPICS SPECIAL

Olympic Gold!

Tom McEwen (H, 2009) was picked, with his horse, Toledo De Kerser, to compete with the formidable GB eventing team at the Tokyo Olympics. Brilliantly, the team won the team Gold medal and Tom won the individual Silver! During his time at College, alongside his commitments to College sport such as playing for the unbeaten 1st XV (Autumn Term, 2008-09), Tom continued his eventing. This included being a part of the College eventing team that won the National School’s Championships. After leaving College, Tom continued to dedicate himself to his sport and was short listed for both the London and Rio Olympics. Tom was over the moon to be picked for Tokyo and now there are medals to boot! Huge congratulations!

OLYMPICS ARCHIVE SNIPPET The Rev Robert Stuart de Courcy Laffan, former Head of College from 1895–1899 was instrumental in the movement to reinstate the Olympics, and was one of the founders to the British Olympics Association, eventually supporting our bid to host the 1908 Olympics in Britain. Godfrey Brown, history teacher at College from 1943-1950, had an impressive track record, having won Gold in 400m Relay at the Berlin Olympics 1936. In addition to the two recently won by Tom McEwen at the Tokyo Olympics, above, Old Cheltonians have, now, won nine Olympic medals. Two were won by Allan Jay (Xt, 1948) who competed in five Olympic games as a foil and épée fencer.

Working with Olympians

Henry Davis, sports science teacher and Resident Tutor in Newick House (2012-2020) was pleased and proud to be working with Team GB Olympians through his work with the English Institute of Sport. He supported the women’s and men’s hockey teams, Paralympians Natasha Baker (double Gold for dressage), Jeanette Chippington (canoe) and Sophie Christiansen (equestrian), and the Paralympic rowing squad!

ELITE OC SPORTING SUCCESS

It is a testament to the strength of College sport and the Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) that a regular stream of OC athletes, many of whom have been TAP members, go on to further successes. This past year, a number of OCs have reached some astounding heights in the sporting world.

Ollie Thorley (BH, 2014) gained his first England international cap against Italy in the Six Nations. Jack Clement (S, 2019) was invited to join the wider 45-man squad for the Six Nations.

Emily Drysdale (W, 2019) was selected for the Hockey Wales senior women’s indoor squad. Jamie Chadwick (Ch, 2016) continues as a Williams F1 development driver and was nominated for the 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award. Louis Hillman-Cooper (S, 2020), pictured with Director of Rugby Mr Olly Morgan, was selected to represent England U20s in the 2021 Six Nations.

Zak O’Sullivan (OJ) is a racing driver competing in the 2021 GB3 Championship. He is one of the four finalists for the 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.

Please do let us know of other OC sporting successes: society@cheltenhamcollege.org