JONATHAN Edwards' Olympic gold medal success this week added another notch on the sporting roll of honour of former students of Durham University.

The new Olympic triple jump champion, Britain's sixth gold medallist of the Sydney games, was an unknown on the sporting scene when he graduated in physics with an upper second class degree from Durham, where he studied from 1984-87.

He was one of the first former students who went on to achieve sporting fame to receive newly instituted honorary palatinates from the university last year.

Ex-England cricketer, fast bowler Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson, and Edwards were presented with inaugural palatinates at a ceremony at Hallgarth Manor Hotel, in Durham.

Others have since been awarded to England cricket skipper Nasser Hussein, plus former England rugby captain Will Carling and fellow internationals Peter Dixon and Phil de Glanville.

Durham University director of sport, Dr Peter Warburton, joined in the accolades after Edwards' triumph in Monday's triple jump final. He described the former Van Mildert College student as a great ambassador for British sport, the North-East and Durham University.

"It was a great moment for British sport, but we're thrilled for him, he's such a nice person. He's been superb for us, offering support over recent years."