[AUDIO] Olympic leaders honoured

Two of the key figures behind this summer's hugely successful Olympic Games have been recognised by Sheffield Hallam University today.

Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), and former Minister for Sport, The Rt Hon Richard Caborn, were both awarded honorary doctorates for their roles in making London 2012 happen.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall, Paul Deighton said: "The association I've had with Sheffield Hallam for the last three years has been very rewarding for me, and I hope for the University and its students too.

"The Olympics is a wonderful example of how important it is to have passion and inspiration in what you do. My advice to students is to spend some time really finding your passion, and find a job that is consistent with that. That's the only way that you'll constantly have the internal fire to take you where you can get to."

Accepting his honorary doctorate, Richard Caborn said: "Sheffield Hallam is doing a fantastic job on sport. I know they signed an MOU with Brazil, and there are many students coming from Brazil into to the UK - and into Sheffield - and I'm sure that will develop.

"The students here today have done fantastically well to get this far. Sheffield Hallam is playing an important role in the economy of Sheffield, and we'll make sure that what they've achieved is put to good use in the future."

Richard Caborn was Minister for Sport under the Labour Government from 2001 to 2007, and played a crucial role in developing and presenting the successful proposal for London to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games back in 2005. 

Mr Caborn's father was on the board of governors of Sheffield College of Technology, which went on to become Sheffield Hallam University. Richard has always been a strong supporter and ambassador of Sheffield Hallam, helping the University to develop its links with industry both in the UK and globally.

Sheffield Hallam's student volunteering programme for the Olympics was the biggest in the country. The University sent 200 students from its sports development with coaching, sport event management, and journalism courses, through its partnership with LOCOG.

LOCOG worked with Sheffield Hallam to develop a unique set of media modules, and those students who were involved as part of their course could apply for internship and press operations roles with LOCOG.

For press information contact: Joe Field on 0114 225 2074 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk