Olympic champions Alex Yee and Georgia Taylor-Brown have been awarded Honorary Doctorate titles from their former university at Leeds Beckett, in West Yorkshire.
The pair, who were recognised for their services to sport, can now add their new titles to the MBEs that they received in 2022, as well as the many triathlon medals they have won throughout their stellar careers.
Georgia graduated from Leeds Beckett in 2015 and Alex in 2018, after both studied an undergraduate degree in Sports Science. Georgia is still based in Leeds and trains out of the Leeds Triathlon Centre.
The duo were part of the four-athlete team which won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the Triathlon Mixed Relay, while Georgia also picked up a silver in the individual event that year and a bronze in Paris last summer. Yee also won individual silver in Tokyo, but was able to go one better in Paris four years later when he beat New Zealander Hayden Wilde to the coveted gold after an epic finish.
Live in the moment
Speaking at the Leeds Beckett graduation ceremony, Yee said: “It feels very surreal to be receiving an honorary degree… doctorate, even, from Leeds Beckett. It definitely wasn’t something I’d have ever imagined.
“I didn’t ever think I’d be able to call myself a doctor. And particularly for it to come from Leeds Beckett is really special because it is a university which means a lot to me, and a city which allowed me to develop as an athlete.
“It’s amazing to be back. My advice for those graduating today would be to live in the moment. Embrace each wave that comes at you. It may be a good one, it may be a bad one, but make sure you live in it. Just embrace everything – that’s going to give you the most fulfilment if you stay present and enjoy yourself.”
‘Learn from the mistakes’
Georgia added: “Receiving the honorary doctorate degree is incredible. When I got the email a few months ago, it was a bit crazy and I wasn’t sure what to think, but no, it’s super, super special and I just feel very, very fortunate.
“The advice I would give to graduates today is just to go out there and just try everything. Just give it a go, don’t be scared, just jump in, see what happens and just learn from the mistakes.
“I’ve got this far and got my achievements just because I’ve made so many mistakes, but I’ve learned from them every single time, so just make mistakes, but make sure you learn from them.”
What’s next?
Yee returns to triathlon action at Supertri Toronto on July 26, having recovered from the ‘small acute overload injury’ that he picked up while running the London Marathon back in April.
Georgia, the most decorated female triathlete in Olympic history, returned to triathlon competition last weekend after taking a mini-break to focus on road and gravel cycling. Her comeback at the WTCS Hamburg saw her finish in 14th.
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