Record-breaking paralympian Dame Sarah Storey has joined Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport as a visiting professor in Sport.
The 43-time world champion and holder of 28 paralympic medals across swimming and cycling will join the institute in its mission to push boundaries of sport and health to improve lives and shape society.
Storey will support research into the effect of the menstrual cycle on female sports performance as well as continuing to work with the university’s sports scientists to prepare for the Paralympic Games later this year.
She said: “I’m very excited to take up the role of visiting professor at the Institute of Sport. It is a huge honour to have the opportunity to work with students across the university and get involved with research projects to really help Manchester Met achieve its goals and ambitions.
“The goals that the university has for its students, staff and wider community really align with my values. I hope to bring a unique perspective to the Institute of Sport through my 33 years’ experience as an elite athlete to help support both the teaching and research that is helping people from all backgrounds to live better and healthier lives through sport and exercise.”
Storey was awarded an Honorary MSc and Honorary Doctor of Science by Manchester Met in 2003 and 2009 and has had a long-standing partnership with the university.
From 2011 to 2017, sports scientists from the University’s Institute of Sport have worked closely with her in the preparation for paralympic and world championship competitions, while state-of-the-art facilities such as the environment chamber have helped her prepare for gruelling summer conditions.
And during this time Storey’s partnership with the university has seen her elite racing team, Storey Racing, work with the Manchester Fashion Institute to design a range of leisurewear to complement the team’s technical race clothing.
Professor Tim Cable, director of Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, said: “As the most successful British paralympian of all time, as well as someone who has close links to our city through her role as Greater Manchester’s active travel commissioner, I am delighted to welcome Sarah as a visiting professor.
“With her distinguished career and existing links with our university, Sarah will bring a wealth of experience, passion and knowledge that will help us develop our research and ensure it can make a difference to the city of Manchester and wider region.
“Most importantly, we know that the experience that Sarah brings from her success as an elite athlete can have an impact on the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of other people. It is this translational approach that will see our Institute of Sport deliver benefits for communities regionally, nationally and across our world.”
