THE Olympic champion behind the country’s successful 2012 Games bid has been honoured by a North East university – and one of his former rivals.
The 12-time world record holder Sebastian Coe was presented with an honorary doctorate from Sunderland University’s chancellor, former athlete Steve Cram yesterday. Lord Coe was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters alongside hundreds of students at the graduation ceremony held at the Stadium of Light.
Lord Coe is chair of the London 2012 Olympic Committee, a politician and a world-renowned middle-distance runner.
He won gold in the 1500m and silver in the 800m 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 and received a knighthood in the 2006 New Year’s Honours’ List.
Lord Coe said: “I was hugely honoured to be given this award especially from my great friend Steve Cram, who I know is passionate about his role as chancellor at the university. I have heard a great deal about the university from Steve; its first-class research and teaching facilities, as well as being selected as a Pre-Olympic Training Provider for the 2012 London Games.
