PEOPLE at a North-East university will have their eyes focused on Sydney Olympics tonight for the final of the men's coxless pairs rowing event.
Flying the flag for Britain at 11.30pm will be Newcastle University graduate and former member of the university's Elite Athletes squad, Ed Coode, and his rowing partner Greg Searle.
Mr Coode graduated from the university in 1997 with an honours degree in marine biology.
The rowers reached the Olympic final in style, finishing second to a French team.
Mr Coode said: "I think every crew in that final has a chance of getting a medal. I wouldn't write off a single one."
Newcastle University's physical recreation and sport director, Graham Rayner, said last night: "We are tremendously proud to have an athlete of Ed's calibre among our graduates.
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