Helen Glover has not dismissed the possibility of making one last bid for Olympic glory in 2028 after a narrow defeat in the women’s four final against the Netherlands, where she sought a third gold medal.
This event marked one of three medals secured by British rowers, further solidifying Team GB’s resurgence following disappointment at the Tokyo Games three years ago. While there was no remarkable moment to rival their thrilling gold in the women’s quadruple sculls the previous day, bronze medals in both the women’s double sculls and men’s four added to the uplifting spirit on another hot day just 45 minutes from Paris.
Glover, a two-time champion in the women’s pair, was the center of attention from the start. Now 38 and a mother of three, she had taken a break from rowing before returning for Tokyo 2020. This time, she pursued glory in the four, and although she narrowly lost in a thrilling finish against the Netherlands, she remained tentative about her future in the sport as she approaches her fifth decade.
“At this moment, I just want to spend quality time with my family, enjoy being a mum, and not rush into thinking about rowing just yet,” she commented. “Half the team thinks I’ll keep going. I don’t have plans to continue, but I suppose it’s been about focusing on crossing the finish line and then reassessing.” Glover has previously represented Great Britain in beach sprint rowing, which will be an Olympic discipline in Los Angeles, leaving open the possibility for her future in the sport.
Despite being European champions and slight favorites going into the final, the women’s four team aimed to replicate their teammates’ remarkable performance in the sculls. The Dutch team, leading from the outset, executed a crucial final surge in a tightly contested sprint over the last 250 meters. Glover’s crew had passed Romania by the 500-meter mark to secure second place but couldn’t close the gap to the Netherlands, finishing just 0.18 seconds behind. New Zealand claimed the bronze medal.
“Everything went as planned; we did our best,” Glover reflected. “We anticipated tight competition on finals day, and we ought to be proud of our performance. When races come down to such close margins, you are up against the world’s best, so sometimes, you just have to accept the outcome.”
Glover was not the only British mother to shine. Earlier, Becky Wilde and Mathilda Hodgkins Byrne secured a commendable bronze in the women’s double sculls, holding off the Netherlands to ensure a podium finish. They initially took the lead, but New Zealand ultimately triumphed, with Romania close behind. Hodgkins Byrne has a two-year-old son, Freddie, and had taken a break from rowing following the Tokyo Games.
“After being selected in March, we faced the challenge of what felt like an unlikely pathway to qualifying,” Hodgkins Byrne noted. “Secretly, we committed to achieving a podium finish, and that’s exactly what we achieved.”
Glover’s juggling of family life alongside her return to elite rowing has garnered much attention, but she stated that such narratives should become less significant in the future. “It’s crucial to normalize these situations,” she explained. “Sport mirrors society, and demonstrating that it’s possible to return and excel not in spite of motherhood, but because of it, sends a powerful message that there’s room for women to come back.”
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The men’s four, reigning world and European champions, were anticipated to add Olympic gold to their accolades, although their preparations had been somewhat turbulent. Oliver Wilkes, David Ambler, Matt Aldridge, and Freddie Davidson had narrowly trailed New Zealand in their heat but found them elusive once more.
A less-than-ideal start contributed to their fate: they were at the back of the pack early on and, despite a strong surge in the third quarter, could only secure a bronze by edging out Italy. An assertive US crew, who set a blistering pace and found another gear whenever New Zealand appeared to gain momentum, finished first.
Aldridge expressed no regrets after a tough contest. “We could have fantasized about winning gold, and I believe we gave it our all,” he stated. “Every crew in that final was exceptional. I feel incredibly fortunate that our efforts were sufficient to earn a medal.”
In closing, Glover emphasized the joy of sharing such experiences with others. “Their faces light up with big smiles as they watch their mum compete in the Olympics,” she mentioned when asked about her children’s reactions. “They’ve soaked up every moment.” The lingering question remains: will there be more moments to cherish four years from now?
