Two of the finest athletes the City of Bath has produced have become the first inductees to the University of Bath’s new Hall of Fame for Sport.
Jason Gardener and Ben Rushgrove were inducted yesterday to the Hall of Fame by Professor Kevin Edge, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath.
The Hall of Fame is located in the entrance of the Sports Training Village, a world-leading sports facility that has been a training base for some of Britain’s top athletes over the last two decades.
It recognises the athletes and coaches who have excelled in their sport and made a significant contribution to the sporting environment at the University.
Both Jason Gardener and Ben Rushgrove have achieved success at the very highest levels, returning to the city of their birth with Olympic and Paralympic medals respectively.
Professor Kevin Edge, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “I’d like to congratulate Jason and Ben on becoming the first two athletes to be inducted to the University’s Hall of Fame for Sport.
“It’s fitting that such inspirational athletes who were both born in Bath should be the first to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. As well as achieving success at the very highest level of sport, they have been outstanding ambassadors, both for the University of Bath and the City of Bath.”
Jason Gardener MBE, who won gold in the 4x100m relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Hall of Fame. I feel extremely proud that my time and achievements training at the University of Bath have been recognised in this very special way.
“To achieve success at the very highest level in sport requires an excellent, committed support team and environment. I am extremely grateful to every person at the University who played a part directly or indirectly contributing to my success, enabling me to prepare and be the best that I could be.
“Without the University’s support, achieving my childhood dream of becoming an Olympic Champion certainly would have been harder to achieve.”
Ben Rushgrove, who won silver at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and bronze at London 2012, said: “When I started on this journey I had no idea I would end up in a Hall of Fame. It’s a privilege to have represented my country and I hope the Hall of Fame will inspire others to one day get their picture on it.”
