The GB rowing team contains no fewer than three former pupils of the same Chester school – ex-King’s students Tom James, Chris Bartley and Olivia Whitlam. The trio will be joined at the Games by GB hockey player James Fair, another former King’s student.
Headmaster Chris Ramsey is ‘immensely proud’ of the school’s four Olympians.
He said: "King’s has a proud history of producing elite sportsmen and women. We have four former Olympic rowers and in total King’s has recorded eight Olympic squad selections over the years. For this Olympics, we have a record-breaking number of former pupils in the GB team. Very few schools in the country have this many and I haven’t heard of any other schools in the North West who can boast this number."
Mr Ramsey added: "Tom James and Chris Bartley both learnt to row at school at the age of 13 and Olivia had never rowed until she joined us and soon progressed to make her mark. The former director of sport who knew James Fair says he was an outstanding all-round sportsman."
King’s director of rowing David Blackham said James, Bartley and Whitlam were ‘wonderful role models’ for the school’s students.
"They have made everyone connected to the rowing club proud," he added. "All our rowers will be watching as the Olympics approach and look forward to cheering on our alumni. It’s unique for a school to have one Olympian rower, let alone three."
Whitlam will be joined in the women’s eight boat by another local girl, Vicky Thornley.
The 24-year-old is from Holt, a small village situated on the banks of the River Dee near Wrexham.
She has gone from complete beginner to elite athlete in just four and a half years, after joining a special ‘Sporting Giants’ training programme for tall athletes. She stands at almost 6ft 3in and is a former catwalk model.
TOM JAMES MBE
Sport: Rowing
Age: 28
Background: Began rowing on the River Dee while a pupil of The King’s School, Chester. The proud owner of an Olympic gold medal after success in Beijing four years ago. Raised in Coedpoeth, Wrexham, James graduated from Cambridge with an engineering degree and is likely to retire from rowing after London 2012.
In action: Will be rowing in the men’s four, starting on Monday, July 30. The final is on Saturday, August 4.
CHRIS BARTLEY
Sport: Rowing
Age: 28
Background: Introduced to rowing at The King’s School, Bartley represented GB at junior level. Won gold with the lightweight men’s four at the 2010 World Rowing Championships. Hails from Farndon.
In action: Rowing in the men’s lightweight four, beginning on Saturday, July 28. Final on Thursday, August 2.
OLIVIA WHITLAM
Sport: Rowing
Age: 26
Background: Picked out as a potential star rower while at The King’s School because of her height. Whitlam, from Daresbury, finished sixth in the women’s pair at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Stepped into the women’s eight this year.
In action: Competing in the women’s eight, starting on Sunday, July 29. Final is Thursday, August 2.
VICKY THORNLEY
Sport: Rowing
Age: 24
Background: A latecomer to rowing, former Bishop Heber and Abbey Gate College student Thornley has made rapid progress since joining the GB rowing team’s Start Programme in November 2007. Hails from Holt, near Wrexham, and was previously a semi-professional show jumper.
In action: Competing in the women’s eight, starting on Sunday, July 29. Final is Thursday, August 2.
