Helen Glover, a double Olympic champion in the women's pair, hinted at a potential return to the sport for the 2028 Games, after a thrilling silver medal in the women's four at the Paris Olympics.
Despite falling just short of her third gold medal, Glover, a mother of three, was gracious in defeat, acknowledging the close fight with the Dutch crew. She remains hesitant about a return to elite competition, but acknowledged the possibility, saying, "Right now I just want to spend time with my family, enjoy being mum... Half the team think Iâll carry on. I donât plan to carry on but I guess itâs been kind of âfocus on crossing the finish line then weâll seeâ.â
The 38-year-old rower had previously retired from the sport before making a remarkable comeback for Tokyo 2020. This time, she opted for the four, where she, alongside Sam Redgrave, Esme Booth and Rebecca Shorten, almost replicated the dramatic comeback witnessed in the women's quadruple sculls earlier in the week.
The British crew, European champions and slight favourites, were in second place by the 500-metre mark but were unable to close the gap on the Dutch, who made a decisive final push in the last 250 metres.
"It went to plan. We did what we could," Glover said. "You expect tight racing on Olympic finals day so weâve got to be proud of what we put together. When it comes to such fine margins youâre racing the best in the world, so you just have to accept it sometimes."
Glover's determination to balance family life with her athletic pursuits was evident, and she stressed the importance of normalising this experience for female athletes. "Normalising it is really important. Sport is a massive reflection of society and to show you can come back to something and excel, not despite having children but because youâve had children, is a message that there should be a space for women to come back."
The day also saw a bronze medal for the women's double sculls pair, Becky Wilde and Mathilda Hodgkins Byrne, who fought off the Netherlands after a strong start.
The men's four, world and European champions, also secured bronze, despite a strong challenge from the New Zealanders, who ultimately took the gold.
The team's performance showcased the dedication and resilience of these athletes, particularly those juggling family life with their demanding sporting careers. Glover's words, highlighting the importance of celebrating their achievements while acknowledging the potential for future successes, leave fans eager to see what the future holds for this remarkable athlete.