Sound Body, Sound Mind
Katherine Grainger is one of the University of Edinburgh’s most famous sporting success stories, who breezed through her degree whilst competing on the world rowing circuit. As Grainger awaits an official announcement on whether she is to compete in her third Olympic games this summer in Beijing, she fondly reminisces about her journey to becoming Great Britain’s most successful female Olympic rower.
With an impressive two Olympic Silver Medals and four World Championship Gold medals under her belt, Grainger hopes to add an Olympic Gold Medal to her collection this year.
She said: “Very very few people achieve that and it's incredibly exciting that we are so close. My boat has won the past three world championships so we will be one of the favourites going into the Olympics.”
Her rowing career began in her first year of university back in 1993 when a persuasive Boat Club member invited her along to the club's first training session. Like many Freshers, Grainger considered the sport a great opportunity to meet new people and have a bit of fun.
“The boat club had some fantastic people, a great social life and a healthy balance of work hard and play hard. I saw it as a welcome distraction from my degree,” she says with a laugh.
Grainger has fond memories of her rowing at Edinburgh and describes how “every bit of positive encouragement at every small step was hugely welcomed.”
Her talent was soon rewarded with a sports bursary by the university, a financial boost that opened “amazing new possibilities” for the promising young rower. But the Sports Union were also integral to her success. "They were a great help," she says, "especially when I was Captain and trying to juggle far too many things!"
Grainger's juggling act continued into her final year of university, in which she sat her Law exams whilst simultaneously captaining the Boat Club and competing for Great Britain. This demanding lifestyle was facilitated by the support of the rower's professors at the Law College, who were "exceptional" in their enthusiasm and encouragement.
"It was so special to have such praise for sport from top level academics," she remembers.
After graduating from Edinburgh, Grainger went on to study a part-time Masters at Glasgow. Meanwhile, her rowing career went from strength to strength. By the time she completed her Masters degree, Grainger had been asked to become a full time member of the Great Britain team and the athlete moved down to London just before her first Olympic games in 2000.
This year Grainger is hoping for a third bite of the cherry in Beijing.
Another rising star, Chris Fusaro, joined the University of Edinburgh University this year. The young sportsman studies for his Chemical Engineering degree whilst holding a place in the Scotland Rugby 7s squad.
Explaining that the university has been very supportive of his sporting commitments, Fusaro says, “my director of studies has been really good with late hand-ins and extensions.”
Fusaro's physical training is supplemented by the theoretical tuition he receives. This essential education is provided by the National Junior Academy and the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, a scheme that exemplifies the fantastic support available for young sportsmen and women as their careers develop.
Rugby has dominated Fusaro’s life since the age of eight, and his game progressed from schoolboy level to the international stage when he was selected for the Scottish Under 18s squad last year.
“It's very exciting,” says Fusco, who admits that he was surprised to be called up. "The opportunity to play at this level also benefits my 15's game,” he says.
Fusaro splits his time between the Scotland 7s and his home team, the Heriot 1s, and these hefty commitments ensure that training sessions on the pitch or in the gym take up the majority of his spare time.
Though it might not leave Fusaro much time to relax with his fellow Freshers, life as an international Rugby player does have its advantages. Fusaro’s career has enabled him to visit a whole host of exotic locations including Singapore, Dubai, San Diego, South Africa and New Zealand. Playing in the latter was the highlight of his season, he says, putting this down to the fact that “they are all rugby mad out there."
"The atmosphere at rugby games in New Zealand is unreal," he enthuses. "Playing in front of crowds of 45,000 people was amazing.”
The pair agree that the key to successfully combining sports and studies is fun.
“If I hadn't enjoyed my time rowing at Edinburgh,” says Grainger, “I would never have continued in the sport and certainly would not have been to two Olympic Games.”
Fusaro, meanwhile, does not hesitate when I ask him what keeps him motivated. The answer? “It’s just a love for the game.”
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