Olympic legends meet in Sunderland

Two Olympic legends, who hold nine Gold medals between them, met on the turf at the Stadium of Light this week - but this time round they were not competing, but honouring a lifetime of outstanding achievement on and off the track.

Double Olympic Champion and 12-time world record holder Seb Coe received an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the world of athletics, and his leadership in the 2012 London Olympics bid from the University of Sunderland today (Tuesday, July 12).

Lord Coe received his award from university Chancellor and fellow Olympic legend Steve Cram. This is not the first time they have met in a stadium - their many encounters on the track include the world 4 X 800 metres relay in 1982, where they set a record time that stood for 24 years - and in 1984 they landed Gold and Silver in the 1500 metres Los Angeles Olympics.

Steve Cram said: "When I was a young athlete Seb Coe was a huge inspiration to me, and I am certain he will help to inspire our graduates today as they set off from the starting blocks of their careers.

"As an athlete Seb was fearlessly competitive, incredibly hard working and a peerless professional, and those characteristics have continued in his work beyond the running track. We are truly proud to welcome Lord Coe to Sunderland today."

Sebastian Coe, Lord Coe of Ranmore KBE, is Chair of the London 2012 Olympic Committee, a politician and a world-renowned athlete. A double Olympic Champion and 12-time world record holder in athletics, he won gold in the 1500 metres and silver in the 800 metres at both the Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 Games.

He retired from competitive athletics in 1990 and became a Conservative MP and Private Secretary to William Hague. In 2002 he was made a Peer - Lord Coe of Ranmore - and received a knighthood in the 2006 New Year's Honours List.

He is Vice-President of the International Association of Athletics and controlling shareholder of The Complete Leisure Group; a non-executive director of AMT-Sybex Group, and Chair of the Parliamentary Sport Honours Committee.

Sebastian Coe received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the world of athletics and his leadership in the 2012 London Olympics bid.

Also being honoured by the university this week are leading figures from the worlds of TV, literature and business, including Sunderland-born TV presenter and architect George Clarke, Wire in the Blood author Val McDermid, and entrepreneur and musician Paul Campbell.

This year's annual awards ceremonies are the biggest in the University of Sunderland's history. Over four days 3,000 students from eighty-nine countries - encompassing half of the countries in the world - will graduate from the Stadium of Light watched by over 9,000 guests, with 243 academic staff cheering on the class of 2011.

For more information, visit:www.sunderland.ac.uk

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