The Paris Olympic Games saw three ULBC alumni racing in Vaires-sur-Marne.

Emily Craig raced in the GB lightweight women’s double, alongside Cambridge’s Imogen Grant. After an exceptional Olympiad where they remained unbeaten, Emily and Imo executed a full set of perfect races out in Paris. Banishing away any demons from Tokyo (where they missed a medal by 0.01s), their regatta ended on the highest of highs, claiming their well-deserved gold medals after an exceedingly professional race. With emotions visibly running high, there wasn’t a dry eye out there (or on the alumni chat) as they received their medals and subsequently belted the National Anthem. The lightweight events end with the Paris Games, making this duo reigning Olympic Champions, forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having coxed the men’s eight to a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, Henry Fieldman switched over to cox the GB women’s squad this Olympiad. After winning their heat, Henry and his crew qualified straight for the A final. In the final, they had a close race down the track, sitting right on the tail of the Canadians in second, and hotly chased by the Australians, which saw them take the bronze medal. This huge result makes Henry the first athlete ever to win a medal in both a men’s and women’s event at the Olympics.

 

In her Olympic debut, Natalie Long represented Ireland in the women’s four. After a 3rd place in heats and a 4th in the repechage, Nat and crew qualified for the B final. After an impressive race which saw them lead the whole way, they finished their regatta in 7th overall.

Also out in Paris were a plethora of UL alumni on the GB support team. from left to right; Paul Stannard (Men’s head coach), Darren Whiter (LW2x coach), Emily, Dr Ann Redgrave (Chief Medical Officer), Maurice Hayes (legend) and Henry.