Graduates prepare for rowing world championships
University of Bath graduates Marcus Bateman and Adam Freeman-Pask will both be in World Championships action for the GB Rowing Team in Poland next week.
Bateman is a member of the GB men’s quadruple scull. The British quad raced to a superb silver medal behind Germany in the World Cup in Lucerne earlier this season, their second World Cup silver of the year.
Bateman graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Sports Technology in 2005.
He said he’s looking forward to the challenge. “I think the quad event is one of the toughest rowing events at the World Championship,” said Bateman. “We are a newly formed crew and had had a good start to the season. We are definitely ones to watch, as we are only going to get better over the years.
“It’s going to be tough getting into the final as there is only six places with about 12 countries that are world class in our event. If the previous races are anything to go by, the medals are going to be won by fractions of a second. We are a very quick crew and like to dominate the race early on and put pressure on our opponents.”
Freeman-Pask contests the lightweight single scull again this year, after finishing 13th at last year’s World Championships. He has already won two World Cup bronze medals this year.
He graduated with a Natural Science degree from the University of Bath in 2006.
Both Bateman and Freeman-Pask were coached by Paul Stannard while studying at the University of Bath.
Bateman learnt to row seriously while at the University of Bath as part of GB Rowing’s World Class Start Programme, which is sponsored by Siemens and backed by the Lottery.
The GB Rowing Squad is supported by the National Lottery Sports Fund as part of UK Sport’s Podium Programme.
The 2009 World Championships take place in Poznan, Poland from 23-30 August.
The University of Bath has one of the leading university sports departments in the UK. Under its TeamBath brand, its success is based on the expertise and dedication of staff, and its excellent facilities, used by the community and Olympic medal winners alike.
Members of the media who require further information can contact the TeamBath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 383518 or 01225 443998 or see the TeamBath website at www.teambath.com
