Exciting news from the Gold Coast as Hayley Simmonds, an alumna of Gonville & Caius, won her first Commonwealth medal on Tuesday (10 April).

Representing England, Simmonds (pictured left in 2016), who completed her PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at Caius in 2016, claimed bronze in the women’s time trial cycling event. Upon finishing the race a jubilant Simmonds cried tears of joy as she hugged her teammates.

Simmonds was joined on the podium by silver medallist New Zealand’s Linda Villumsen and Australia's gold medallist Katrin Garfoot.

The bronze medal isn’t the only major sporting achievement Simmonds has to her name, in 2009 she was a member of the winning Blondie crew in the Women’s Reserve Boat Race. Following a break from competitive sport to complete her studies, Simmonds transitioned from rowing to cycling.

Speaking to the media after the race, she said: “It’s incredible. It’s something that I’ve dreamed of, I suppose, to be here, representing England at the Commonwealth Games.”

Simmonds is already back on her bike as she prepares for the road race on Saturday. Fingers crossed she can claim another medal!

You can watch Simmonds in action on Saturday on the BBC.