GB Rowing Team Olympic squad recognised by sports journalists
Members of the Sports Journalists’ Association have voted the GB Rowing Team’s Olympic squad Team of the Year 2024
The team’s recognition by members of the Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA) follows a stand-out cycle, which saw the GB Rowing Team deliver its best ever overseas Olympic Games, winning three gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
Shortlisted against the England men’s football team, GB Olympics diving team, INEOS Britannia, McLaren F1 and Wigan Warriors, the GB Rowing Team led the vote and was awarded the Team of the Year trophy live on Sky Sports News. Paris 2024 Olympic medallists, Hannah Scott, Emily Ford and Tom Ford collected the trophy on behalf of the team.
Commenting on the win, Louise Kingsley, GB Rowing Team Director of Performance said: “A massive thank you to all the members of the Sports Journalists’ Association for voting us Team of the Year. It was a huge team effort to deliver exceptional results in Paris. The athletes, coaches and support staff pulled together to create a fantastic atmosphere, culture and training environment that enabled us to write a unique chapter in the legacy of the GB Rowing Team. We are extremely proud and very grateful for the support and extensive coverage we received from members of the media across the board, in print, broadcast TV, radio and digital.”
The SJA Committee said: “The SJA Team of the Year is a comeback story. Back in 2021, there was a lot of reflection and soul searching after a disappointing return from the Tokyo Olympics. No gold medals won at a Summer Games for the first time in 40 years, and just 2 appearances on podiums across the whole competition. Fast forward to 2024, and what a turnaround. With the measure of medals won, this sport was Team GB’s biggest success in Paris and 36 out of 42 athletes medalled, making it the team’s best-ever haul from an Olympics overseas. A glorious regatta for Britain; and that’s why the GB rowing team at Paris 2024 has been voted the SJA Team of the Year”.