Olympic champion Brownlee toasts ‘proud moment’ with academic success

Last summer he secured gold in the triathlon at the London 2012 Olympics, sharing the podium with his brother Jonny who secured a bronze.

Now almost a year on the 25-year-old he has achieved success off the course as he graduated with a masters degree which the athlete hopes will benefit him later in life.

He graduated with a MSc Finance this week at a ceremony at Leeds Met University’s Headingley Campus.

Speaking about his time studying at Leeds Met, the twice triathlon world champion said: “It’s definitely a proud moment and great to have a masters degree.

“I’ve learnt a lot, as well as just the studying, which has been valuable and I hope to use it at a later point in my career. A postgraduate degree in finance is going to be useful in almost anything that I go into.”

The Leeds Metropolitan University graduation celebrations are taking place until Friday.

More than 5,000 students will graduate during the five days, alongside 10 honorary degree recipients which includes the Brownlee’s running coach, Malcolm Brown. Mr Brown, a 
former director of sport at Leeds Met, is the current coach to various members of the British Triathlon squad based in Leeds, 
including both Brownlee brothers.

He has coached athletes to international appearances at Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic level and was British Triathlon’s Olympic performance manager for the London 2012 
Olympic Games.

Speaking about Mr Brown’s impact on his career, Alistair said: “Malcolm has been absolutely instrumental in my career and also so many other athletes in the area. So much of his work has gone on behind the scenes that you wouldn’t recognise, so it’s great that he’s being honoured with this award.”

Earlier this year Alistair Brownlee attended Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE in recognition of his sporting success.