The Imperial celebrity sporting challenge resulted in Simon Dennis, Olympic gold medallist and head rowing coach, narrowly beating Helen Ellison, Commonwealth bronze medallist and British universities indoor rowing champion, in a high intensity 15-minute challenge that left athletes and spectators exhausted.

The gym, unveiled by Sir Richard Sykes, rector, forms part of a major refurbishment and campus-wide development of leisure facilities for both staff and students.

Facilities at Wye and Charing Cross have already been improved, developments are planned at Hammersmith and work begins in April on a new sports centre at South Kensington.

Neil Mosley, head of sport and leisure, said: "I am delighted that the rector supports all aspects of sport provision within the College, and look forward to the very exciting project that is about to start in Prince's Gardens."