Paris Olympics: GB rower Lola Anderson pays tribute to late father with Olympic gold

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, British rower Lola Anderson honored her late father with a gold medal in the women’s quadruple sculls.

The victory came after a dramatic final where the British crew, including Anderson, Hannah Scott, Lauren Henry, and Georgie Brayshaw, edged out the Netherlands by just 0.15 seconds.

Anderson, who was visibly emotional, reflected on her journey and the significance of a note her father, Don, had given her.

Seven years earlier, during the London 2012 Olympics, she had written down her dream of winning gold but discarded the note out of self-doubt. Her father retrieved the note and returned it to her shortly before he passed away in 2019.

“It’s a piece of paper but it’s the most valuable thing I have, maybe jointly with this medal now,” Anderson said. “My dad saw potential in me that I didn’t see myself. He would be very proud today.”

The thrilling finish marked a significant turnaround for British rowing, which had underperformed in Tokyo. The crew’s victory, coming in sweltering heat, was a testament to their determination and belief, as noted by Henry, the youngest member at 22.

“If we ever believe it’s over, then it’s over. We will always have belief until we cross that finish line,” she said.

Scott, the only survivor from the Tokyo team, expressed her relief and satisfaction at the turnaround in fortunes. “You have to learn from your tough experiences,” she said. “This shows the talent we’ve got coming through in British rowing.”