Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
How sport creates super-humans and super-communities
Since ancient civilisations, sport has been a vehicle for unleashing the extent of human potential.
From supreme strength to lightning speed, from uncompromised resilience to razor-sharp concentration, sport has enabled us to push physical and mental limitations to create global champions.
But where should we draw the line with the relentless pursuit of excellence in sports? Athletes have always been driven to win, but the advent of performance-enhancing drugs has resulted in some of the most memorable and record-breaking moments in sporting history being shattered by scandal.
Whether in local fields or global arenas, how can we retain fairness in the sporting world? Are we truly interested in how an athlete wins, or do we simply care that they are the winner? With the 2024 Summer Olympic Games almost upon us, this area is a hot topic of discussion.
Join our panel for an inspiring exploration into what it means to be both extraordinary and ethical in the world of sports.
Sir Brendan Foster CBE, Honorary Graduate of Newcastle University
Sir Brendan Foster CBE is a British former long-distance runner, athletics commentator and road race organiser. He founded the Great North Run, one of the sport's most high-profile half-marathon races. As an athlete, he won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics, the gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the 1974 European Championships and the 10,000 metres at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
After retiring from athletics following the Moscow Olympics in 1980, Sir Brendan worked for BBC Television, commentating and reporting on the sport at every major event from 1983 to 2017.
Sir Brendan was Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University from 2005 to 2009. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1976 New Year Honours for services to athletics and promoted to Commander of the same Order (CBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours for services to sport. In December 2016 Sir Brendan was given the Freedom of the City of Newcastle, the city's highest honour. In August 2017, in recognition of his major contributions to the advancements of athletics, Sir Brendan was awarded the IAAF's highest award, the Golden Order of Merit.
Sir Brendan was knighted in the 2020 Birthday Honours for ‘services to international and national sport and culture in North East England’.
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Mike Oakes - Director of Communications at The Enhanced Games/ Head of Communications at Apeiron Investment Group
Michael currently serves a double role as Head of Communications at Apeiron Investment Group, the family office of German investor and entrepreneur Christian Angermayer, and Director of Communications at The Enhanced Games, an Apeiron portfolio company. Previously, Michael was EY’s Global Sustainability Brand, Marketing & Communications Program Leader, where he played a key role in advancing EY's sustainability initiatives including their carbon negative achievement and COP26 activities. His extensive background also includes communications, editorial, speech writing, and content roles at Virgin Atlantic and The Economist, and the Middle East Economic Digest. He graduated from the University of Newcastle upon-Tyne in 1999 with a BA in Economics and Accounting.
Dr Adrian Holliday, Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, Newcastle University
Dr Adrian Holliday is a lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, with a passion for endurance running. Having ran competitively for nearly 30 years, and to junior international level, Adrian blends his interest and expertise in metabolism and nutrition with a deep understanding of running and runners. He currently provides nutritional and physiological support to elite international athletes, while his research involves exploring the effect of exercise on the gut and post-exercise appetite.
Katy Storie, Director of Sport, Newcastle University
Katy Storie is the current Director of Sport at Newcastle University with over 23 years of experience working within the Higher Education sport and physical activity equality sector. She is also a member of Board of Directors for British Universities and Colleges Sport following her role as the first female Chair of the National Rugby Union Sport Advisory Group.
Katy is the Director of Safeguarding in Sport within The Safeguarding Alliance, Trustee for RISE (North East Active Partnership), Advisory Group member for the Women’s Rugby Association and Trustee and Full Committee Chair at the England Students Rugby Football Union.
Within her professional career, Katy has developed significant partnership experience, including key work in the Middle East through establishing female sports leadership collaborations in partnership with FCDO, National & International sporting organisations and Professional sports clubs.
Katy is also a former GB junior international weightlifter and England Rugby Union player.
