Lauren Henry: Team GB in 'peak position' for quadruple sculls final
By Will Jennings in Paris
LAUREN HENRY and Britain’s women’s quadruple scullers insist they will be in peak position for their ‘big dance’ after safely navigating their way to the Olympic final in Paris.
The Lutterworth star, 22, combined with Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgie Brayshaw to win their heat at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium on Saturday.
And that propelled them into Wednesday’s hotly-anticipated final, where they will hope to win a precious rowing medal after Team GB’s Tokyo horror-show on the water three years ago.
Britain endured sixth fourth places and failed to win a gold medal for the first time since 1980 in the Japanese capital.
But Henry believes they can change that and help get the nation back to winning ways.
She said: “It does feel very exciting and we’re pleased to get the first race down and take the win from the heat.
“Now we focus, we keep very internal and focus our attention on preparing ourselves the best we can for Wednesday’s final, because that’s where the big dance is and the race we’ve been preparing for all this time.”
Britain’s rowers make up some of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.
Britain beat Germany, Switzerland and the United States to safely book their place in the quadruple sculls final.
They will now enjoy three days off before turning their attention to a seismic showdown with the Netherlands in Seine-et-Marne, the rowing venue for the Games located over 25km east of Paris.
Henry added: “We’re really pleased to get the first race done but we’re excited to see what we can do on Wednesday.”
With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
