Stockport’s Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey has been unveiled as Manchester Metropolitan University’s latest faculty member, being named a Visiting Professor of Sport.
The Poynton-born swimmer turned cyclist, who boasts over 40 world titles and a whopping 62 medals overall, is the greatest British Para-athlete of all time, having won a record 17 gold medals across two disciplines and eight different Paralympic Games.
Safe to say with all that silverware, her incredible career which spans more than three decades makes her beyond the perfect person to serve as a university professor on a short-term contract ahead of the Paris 2024, not to mention keeping expertise local as a Greater Manchester native.
Working with Man Met‘s sports scientists on everything from preparation for the Summer Olympic Games to the impact of the menstrual cycle on female sports performance, Storey’s expertise will serve as a vital addition to the uni’s and its “mission to push [the] boundaries of sport and health to improve lives and shape society.”
We're delighted to welcome Britain’s most decorated Paralympian @DameSarahStorey as a Visiting Professor of Sport. 👏 👏
As well as bringing her expertise to our research, she's training with our sport scientists ahead of @Paris2024.
Sarah Storey has been named as a Visiting Professor in the lead-up to this summer’s Olympics.
Writing in the announcement of her new role, the Director of the MMU Institute of Sport, Professor Tim Cable, said: “As the most successful British Paralympian of all time, as well as someone who has close links to our city through her role as Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, I am delighted to welcome Sarah as a Visiting Professor.
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“With her distinguished career and existing links with our University, Sarah will bring a wealth of experience, passion and knowledge that will help us develop our research and ensure it can make a difference to the city of Manchester and [the] wider region.
“Most importantly, we know that the experience that Sarah brings from her success as an elite athlete can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of other people.
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“It is this translational approach that will see our Institute of Sport deliver benefits for communities regionally, nationally and across our world.”
Having been given an honorary Master’s degree and doctorate in 2003 and ’09, respectively, the 46-year-old has continued to work with the institution ever since, teaming up with the Institute of Sport between 2011 and 2017 during her own training, as well as using the Manchester Fashion Institute to design a range of leisurewear to complement her elite Storey Racing team’s technical race clothing.
A serial winner and inspiration among the para-athletics community. (Credit: Steve./Richard Turner via Flickr)
Speaking on the appointment herself, the sporting icon and 43-time world champion now based in Disley, Cheshire, said: “I’m very excited to take up the role of Visiting Professor at the Institute of Sport.
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“It is a huge honour to have the opportunity to work with students across the University and get involved with research projects to really help Manchester Met achieve its goals and ambitions.
“The goals that the University has for its students, staff and wider community really align with my values. I hope to bring a unique perspective to the Institute of Sport through my 33 years’ experience as an elite athlete to help support both the teaching and research that is helping people from all backgrounds to live better and healthier lives through sport and exercise”.
She went on to explain how she started working with the uni “without even really knowing” via their partnership with the British Swimming team and said the offer was one she “simply couldn’t turn down” as she and Team GB look to build an “absolutely perfect” training programme ahead of Paris 2024.
Here’s hoping it’s another tournament draped in plenty of medals.
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park this afternoon (Monday 5 May).
“Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries.
“Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled.
“The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29).”
Ole Gunnar Solskjær says just three players have spoken to him since leaving Manchester United
Danny Jones
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Danny Jones -
23rd January 2024 
