Two Newcastle University graduates have clinched bronze medals in the men's eight rowing final at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
They were not considered to be realistic medal challengers, but Tom Ford and James Rudkin put in an outstanding display alongside teammates Josh Bugajski, Jacob Dawson, Tom George, Mohamed Sbihi, Charles Elwes and Oliver Wynne-Griffith.
They finished third in the final race of the Tokyo 2020 regatta behind gold medallists New Zealand, with Germany taking second.
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It was Team GB's second rowing medal of the Tokyo Olympics after a silver in the men's quadruple sculls on Wednesday.
Tom represented Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC) between 2012 and 2015, captaining the men's team in 2014.
James was part of NUBC from 2013 to 2015, and was men's captain in 2015.
Ahead of the Olympic Games, Tom said: "Being selected for the Olympic Games means everything to me.
"For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a professional sportsperson and to have achieved my childhood dream is beyond anything I could have imagined."
Tom and James are among four athletes representing Newcastle University in Tokyo.
The other two Olympians were Emily Ford, who was in the women's eight rowing crew, and Harry Glover.
Harry just missed out on a bronze medal when the Team GB rugby sevens team lost 17-12 to Argentina.
Professor Chris Day, vice-chancellor and president of Newcastle University, said: "We are incredibly proud of our graduates' success at the Olympic Games.
"On behalf of the entire university, I would like to congratulate James, Emily, Tom and Harry.
"Their achievement is a result of all the hard work and the commitment of our student athletes and staff who support them."
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