News Story Date : 05 August, 2009

Paralympic Champions honoured

Athletics duo Sarah and Barney Storey awarded degrees

A Wife-and-husband athletics duo are have been honoured by Manchester Metropolitan University.
Known as the ‘golden couple of British disability sport’, Sarah and Barney Storey each won gold medals in Beijing in cycling to add to Sarah’s golds in swimming.

The unusual occurrence of two golds for the same family in different events on the same day happened when Sarah set a world record in the individual pursuit and Barney emulated her success as pilot to blind rider Anthony Kappes in the tandem sprint.

Now their achievements have been recognised by Manchester Metropolitan University - one of the leading centres for disability sport research in the UK – which awarded the couple honorary degrees.

Role models
The couple each received the title Honorary Doctorate in Science at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Saturday, July 18 at the graduation ceremony for MMU’s Cheshire Faculty.

Dennis Dunn, Dean of Faculty, said: ‘Sarah and Barney Storey are role models not only for young people with disabilities but for all of us. Paralympic Champions, involved in charitable work that will help others, and true sporting ambassadors; together they form part of the strongest national squad in world cycling.’

Both Sarah and Barney are available for inspirational speaking visit their profiles on the Inspirational Speakers Website here