Unexpected moments from Girtonians in sport

Sport has complemented rigorous academic study at Girton College since our early years. In 1874, Girton College appointed its first physical education teacher. Competitive tennis matches between Girton and Newnham began in 1878, and hockey matches followed in 1891.

Nowadays, Girton offers the chance to join sports teams ranging from climbing to croquet and spike ball to swimming. In the years since, trailblazing Girtonians have also represented the College, the University and the country in a range of sports competitions. 

Inspired by the spectacular Olympic Games in Paris this month, we spoke to a few Girtonians about their funniest and most unexpected moments in sports.

Alistair Brownlee and Dame Sarah Springman at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Alistair Brownlee MBE (2006, Medicine)
Olympic gold medal-winning Triathlete (2012 and 2016)

“Probably my funniest moment is racing on the wrong bike at an event in France. I grabbed the bike I thought was mine from the rack and jumped on it. The saddle seemed a bit low, but I put the doubts to the back of my mind and cracked on. A few minutes later my (slightly shorter) brother came up to me and yelled: 'You've nicked my bloody bike!'. I didn't have time to apologise so we finished the race on the wrong bikes.”

Professor Dame Sarah Springman (1975, Engineering)
Former European Champion Triathlete (1985, 1986, 1988) and President of the British Triathlon Federation; current Principal of St Hilda’s College, Oxford, having earned 11 half blues/blues from the Varsity matches

“My most amusing memory from my time at Girton was when competing in the lacrosse varsity match in my second year (1977) when we won (of course) 13-5 and every time I received the ball (in the 2nd Home position), I scored. After five goals, the Oxford team’s friends and family were screaming at the top of their voices ‘kill her’, whenever I received the ball again. I scored 10 goals on that day with a 100% conversion rate, which was extremely satisfying and my best-ever performance. I now work at an Oxford College!”

Sue Hunt (1977, Geography) 
Former Director of Strategic Programmes at the London Organising Committee of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

“Obviously, I am going to pick a moment from London 2012. It was an unexpected moment talking to Tessa Jowell [former Minister for Women and Equalities in the UK] in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday 4th August 2012. She had just met a nice young GB athlete on his way to the stadium to compete called Greg. 'I am hoping to win a medal' he said. Tessa remarked that we must look out for him. 

“Spurred on by the success of Jessica Ennis-Hill winning gold in the Heptathlon, Greg Rutherford leapt the jump of his life to win gold just in time to cheer on Mo Farah winning gold in the 10,000 metres. Three sensational golds for Team GB within 45 minutes, now known as Super Saturday! We cheered like mad, a day like no other.”

Dawn Airey CBE (1981, Geography)
Chair of the Barclays FA Women's Super League and Championship board

“The last game of the 2023/2024 Women’s Super League season came down to the wire, with the league winner – either Chelsea or Manchester City - winning on pure goal difference. The problem? Both contenders were playing in fixtures at the same time nearly 100 miles apart!

“I was presenting the trophy so how could I be in two places at once? I couldn't. I chose to attend the Chelsea v Manchester United game at Old Trafford rather than the Manchester City v Aston Villa game at Villa Park purely because it was the Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes', last game before she departed to manage the USA Women's National team. 

“As it happened, Chelsea won both the game and the league, so I was in the right place at the right time, but it was a tense 90 minutes watching one match unfold in front of me, whilst watching the other on my iPhone wondering if I would be able to time travel had the outcome been different. It was a nail-biting end to an exciting season. Just how sport should be.”