The free public lectures and associated module for University of Leeds students have been recognised by the London 2012 Inspire Programme as an exceptional and innovative project.

In the lecture, Steve enthralled the audience with tales of how his Olympic experience as an athlete varied from his first appearance as a 19-year-old in 1980, through being pre-race favourite in 1984 to his final appearance in Seoul 1988.

He also spoke about the unprecedented 19-day period in 1985 when he set world records for 1,500m, the mile and 2,000m. Having been involved with five Summer Olympic Games as a member of the media, Steve also told the audience how the experience was hugely different to when he was competing as an athlete.

To conclude a fantastic evening, Steve took 30 minutes of questions from the audience of more than 180 people, giving an insight in to his hopes for London 2012 and on how the Olympic and Paralympic Games as an event embraces much more than just sport.

Matt Davison, the Olympic Programme Officer at the University of Leeds, organised the event. He said: “We could not have wished for a better opening to our series. Steve’s insight in to what the Olympics has meant to him, and how that has differed at every Games he has attended was fascinating.

“I hope the audience are inspired to attend the other fantastic lectures we have lined up in the series and also get involved in other activities in our programme.”