Rebecca Edwards BEM announces her retirement from the GB Rowing Team
The two-time Olympian competed at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
Photo: Benedict Tufnell.
Rebecca took up rowing at Queen’s University Belfast whilst studying for her degree in French and Spanish and joined the GB Rowing Team in 2019.
She raced in the Women鈥檚 eight (W8+) at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games completing a lifelong dream of competing at the Olympics. She has won a European silver medal, World Cup gold and both the Remenham Challenge Cup and Hambledon Pairs at Henley Royal Regatta. Rebecca’s final race representing Great Britain came in the Women鈥檚 pair (W2-) at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with her housemate and best friend, Chloe Brew.
Speaking on Instagram about her decision to leave the GB Rowing Team, Rebecca said: 鈥淚鈥檝e given everything I have over the past twelve years chasing my dream. It鈥檚 been truly amazing, more painful than I ever could have imagined and the best thing I鈥檝e ever done. I鈥檝e smiled so much, cried even more, and met the most wonderful people along the way. To everyone who has been part of this journey – my family, friends, teammates, coaches, mentors – thank you. I couldn鈥檛 have done it without you. I鈥檓 looking forward to what the future holds. I鈥檓 happy and ready!鈥
Andrew Randell, Women鈥檚 Olympic Head coach said: 鈥淩ebecca has been an outstanding contributor to the GB Rowing Team over two Olympic cycles. She has been the definitive 鈥榯eam鈥 player with a 鈥榥ever say die attitude鈥 who has put her heart and soul into the Women鈥檚 Squad. She was a member of the first GB Women鈥檚 eight (W8+) to win a gold medal at the 2023 Lucerne World Cup regatta and recorded two excellent wins in the Remenham Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. She is an outstanding competitor and her bubbly, positive personality will be a significant loss to the team. We wish her well for the next challenge she takes on and know she will be successful.鈥
Rebecca is passionate about inspiring young girls from Northern Ireland and showing them it is possible to achieve whatever you put your mind to. She was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2023 for Services to Rowing.
