A STRATFORD rower’s Olympic dream has come true.
Esme Booth will race in the women’s four as part of a 42-strong rowing squad who have been selected, across ten boats, to represent Team GB.
The 25-year-old, who took up rowing when her name was pulled out of a hat at primary school, will make her Games debut at Paris 2024.
She said: “It’s always been my dream to make it to the Olympic Games. It feels surreal to have got here and be selected, given the women’s team is amazing across the board.
“It is an incredible thing to be a part of.”
In 2023, Booth and Emily Ford became the first British women to qualify two boats for an Olympics at the same regatta thanks to their performances at the World Championships.
Booth was rewarded with a seat in the prestigious four that has gone on to capture World Cup gold in Varese and silver at the European Championships.
Belfast-born Rebecca Shorten has been the constant and is the only returning member of the crew that finished fourth at Tokyo 2020 and Sam Redgrave defied finger and back injuries to make her first Olympic crew boat.
The fourth member of the crew is two-time Olympic gold medallist Helen Glover, who is aiming to become the first British mum-of-three to win a medal at the Games.
Shorten said: “We’ve done a really good job at finding our rhythm. Tokyo was a hard result but we didn’t have as much time together as a crew as we have this time.
“The past year we have really cemented the crew, we’ve been able to go to races and prove that we have locked it in.”
Of the 23 women and 19 men, 50 per cent are making their Olympic debut and 50 per cent are returning Olympians.
Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England added: “The Olympic experience in this squad is huge, and I have no doubt it will be an asset to those rowers who will make their Olympic debut in Paris this summer.
“Our rowers have posted some outstanding results this season and I am sure the crews will relish the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their friends, family, and Team GB fans.”
