Do you remember the German Deutschlandachter finishing last in Beijing 2008 and starting a winning streak to Olympic gold four years later? Just recall the agony Emily Craig and Imogen Grant went through in Tokyo. They missed out on gold by half a second and a place on the podium by 0.01 seconds. And that’s over 2,000 metres, not just 100! Their disappointment was profound. It was there for the taking. They struggled to come to terms with it. They even considered not continuing but, after a sensible conversation, they knuckled down and have remained unbeaten for two years.
Today, they won their semi-final, and even Sir Steve Redgrave predicts gold here in Paris.
Their dominance is possible due to the incredible support around them, enabled by people playing The National Lottery, but also because of their relentless drive. Emily and Imogen are two different characters, both driven in different ways. Imogen is an out-and-out winner, a doctor who is single-minded and focused. Out of all the rowing events, they are the second closest to a nailed-on gold medal in Paris, only topped by Romania’s women’s eight.
Emily and Imogen's journey showcases the resilience and determination required to turn heartbreak into triumph. Their story is an inspiration, demonstrating how the deepest disappointments can fuel the greatest successes.
