London 2012 Olympics: Becks calling, but Kath didn’t answer

By STUART BATHGATE
Published on 10/08/2012 01:53

SCOTTISH Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger added another title to her already hefty collection yesterday, when she picked up an honorary degree at the University of Edinburgh.

Grainger, who won gold in the double sculls, attended the ceremony at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum along with legendary Brazilian footballer Pele, who received an honorary degree for his contribution to humanitarian and environmental causes, as well as his sporting achievements,

Grainger has revealed she had achieved another one of her ambitions.

At the press conference after her victory with Anna Watkins in the double sculls, Grainger, 36, said she and her mother would love to hear from David Beckham. Yesterday, she revealed that the superstar footballer had indeed called her – but she had decided not to answer the call because it was from an unknown number.

“It genuinely started off as a joke,” she said. “Steve [Redgrave] was talking about the fact he was going to pass the torch to David Beckham. I said, ‘You’ve got to get me a meeting with him some time’. I said my mum’s a big fan and, you know, I wouldn’t say no.

“Then, the next thing you know, Steve was saying that he’s had a chat with him and of course I could meet him – but only if you win – and that was it.

“After I won … I got a message on my phone from David Beckham. I’m kicking myself because I didn’t take the call. It was an unknown number and I was at a hockey match.

“But it ended up even better that I got it on voicemail, because I let my mum hear it and at the end he gave his love to my family. So spread the word, my family are friends with David Beckham.

“If you speak to him, tell him I have been a bit busy, but I will get back to him if he gives me his number.”