Sir Chris Hoy launches Edinburgh University scholarship to nurture champions of the future

The University of Edinburgh has partnered with six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy to launch a sports scholarship fund.

20 students will be supported in 2025, giving them access to funding, world-class training facilities, and specialist guidance from sports psychologists, nutritionists and physios.

The University confirmed that funding is in place for future years, and in collaboration with other alumni and supporters, it plans to expand support to more scholars in the future.

The university hopes this will help create the environment to nurture the “exceptional talent” of the champions of the future and allow upcoming stars to develop free from the financial barriers which plague top-level sport.

Some of the 2025 scholars already announced include Alyson Bell, the current 200 metres British indoor champion who broke the Scottish record in February, and Phoebe Gill, the Olympic 800m semi-finalist who joined Edinburgh this month to study Biochemistry, as well as national team athletes in cycling, swimming, diving and mountain biking.

The university has recently increased its focus on sports performance, bringing in the highly-decorated Olympic track athlete, and Edinburgh alumnus, Eilidh Doyle as Global Ambassador for Sport to help mentor young talents.

Sir Chris Hoy studied applied sports sciences in 1999 before becoming one of Britain’s most decorated athletes and a global cycling star, winning seven Olympic medals, six of them gold, and 11 world championship titles. The velodrome in Glasgow’s East End, built in 2014, is named after him alongside numerous other honours.

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In February last year he announced he had been diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, and in October stated that the disease had spread to his bones and is now terminal. He recently raised £2,000,000 for cancer charities through the ‘Tour de 4’ ride in Glasgow.

In 2009 he was inducted into the University of Edinburgh’s Sports Hall of Fame, alongside other sporting legends including Olympic rowing champion Baroness Katherine Grainger, ultra-marathon runner Jasmin Paris and former Scotland rugby player, and now coach, Gregor Townsend MBE.

2025 scholar and Great Britain diver Noah Penman said: “Sir Chris Hoy was a hero of mine growing up and I feel honoured to be awarded this support.

“The scholarship is a gamechanger for me, and will let me free up time to train, invest in new kit, and help me to continue to compete internationally at the highest standard.”

Sir Chris Hoy said: “I hope the scholarship will give young students the opportunity to give their all in pursuing their dreams in sport and education.

“The financial support and practical support they receive at the University is important to make their sporting dreams a reality.

“For any athlete, your sporting career will end at some point, so gaining an education at the same time is such an important thing to do.

“I am excited to see what amazing things this first cohort of scholars will go on to do.”

Featured image via The University of Edinburgh.