Helen Glover MBE narrowly missed out on a gold medal today when Team GB's women's four finished second. The highly anticipated race saw the 38-year-old compete with Sam Redgrave, Esme Booth and Rebecca Shorten.
The Olympic gold medallist, born in Truro, was hoping for gold after missing out in Tokyo in 2020, but despite their best efforts, the rowers were just off the pace. Commentators said "Helen Glover is a mum, she'll be thinking of her three children screaming from the bank" while watching the race, which they likened to "heavyweight boxers slugging it out".
The race was neck and neck, with Team GB in the lead at points but in the last 100m the team from the Netherlands inched ahead. Speaking after the event, a downcast Helen, who won gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016, issued a terse response. She said: "There can't be regret looking back and knowing you've done all you can."
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Previously, CornwallLive reported how Helen had been picked as one of Team GB's Opening Ceremony flagbearers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Speaking at the time, she said: “This is probably the biggest honour of my life. I just love the Olympics and have always loved what it stood for. I still pinch myself that I am an Olympian, being a flagbearer and going down in history. I’ve never been to an Opening Ceremony before and I’ll be carrying the flag at my first one.. It’s unbelievable to be in this position.
“The team is full of amazing stories and inspirational people, so to be representing every athlete’s individual story when I stand there is really important to me.”
Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England added: “Tom and Helen exemplify and embody the values of Team GB and our great country. They are dedicated, hard-working, talented athletes, who have achieved greatness in their sports and have captured the affection of the nation in doing so.
"They are both truly proud to wear the Union Flag and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing that first hand at every Olympic Games they have attended. It is an absolute privilege to name them as flagbearers for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
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