Waddell becomes Stirling’s latest Olympian

Team GB curler, Kyle Waddell, has become the latest University of Stirling Olympian after joining his British teammates for the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games (9 – 25 Feb).

MSc Performance Coaching student, Waddell, was selected for the Games as part of Team Smith who earned their official selection thanks to being the leading British team in the World Curling Tour rankings at the start of the season. The team will be led by skip, Kyle Smith, and he and Waddell will joined by Smith’s younger brother, Cammy, as well as another sibling duo of Thomas and Glen Muirhead.

Alongside Team Muirhead in the women’s event, the curlers will be amongst the top British medal hopes at this year’s Games as the country sends its largest-ever team with 58 athletes flying the flag over the next two weeks.

Commenting on his Olympic adventure, Waddell said: “The 2018 Olympics was one of our main goals for the past three or four years and even before we were out of juniors. So to be selected felt like a great achievement as becoming an Olympian is not something you get to do every day.

“However, the competition is the main thing for us now so, whilst it’s great to be selected, our performance is what we’re focusing on.”

The University’s Director of Sport, Cathy Gallagher, said: “To represent your country on the world’s biggest stage is a great honour and Kyle’s selection is testament to the hard work and dedication he demonstrates every day. We are very proud that Kyle is the latest to join an illustrious list of University of Stirling Olympians.

“Having been relatively new to our International Sports Scholarship Programme, Curling has already proven to be an excellent addition and I know Kyle’s achievements and Olympic appearance will be a further boost for the sport’s reputation at the University.”

Waddell and his teammates first take to the ice on Wednesday 14 February 2018 (00:05 GMT) when they will face Switzerland in the first session of the Men’s Round Robin stage.