TYRONE woman Rebecca Edwards, a two-time Olympic rower with Great Britain, has announced her retirement after a career she has described as “amazing” but “painful”.
Edwards, from Aughnacloy, competed in the women’s eight for GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and in the women’s pair at this year’s Paris Games.
In July 2023, she helped Great Britain win a women’s eight gold medal at the World Cup in Lucerne.
“It’s been truly amazing, so exciting, extremely frustrating, more painful than I could ever have imagined, and the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Edwards (30) who was awarded an honours list British Empire Medal.
“I’ve smiled so much, cried even more and met the most wonderful people along the way.
“When I set out on this journey I promised myself I would leave no stone unturned and push myself right to the very limit. I believe I have done that.”
Edwards added: “To myself; you’ve done your best. You’ve defied all beliefs time and time again and achieved more than many thought was possible.
“To the people who are just starting their journey; keep dreaming, keep believing. You never know what might happen.”
Edwards took up rowing at Queen’s University.
“I don’t think there’s a river in Aughnacloy,” she once joked, when looking back on those early days. “I went to the Royal School in Dungannon so no rowing clubs… it was playing hockey and football.
“But when I went to Queen’s I took up rowing in my first year.
“I wanted to do something different at uni and rowing is a hard sport but almost the ultimate team sport as well and I loved going to the team sessions.
“The coaches would tell me I was strong and I made some great friends so couldn’t wait to go back.
“You always dream and I remember having a conversation in the boat house with one of the coaches asking did he ever think I could be on a team going to a World Championships or something.
“He told me if I worked hard enough I could do anything.
“I’m not the tallest and some are very, very strong like you wouldn’t believe but I think I’m more an all-rounder but feel my biggest attribute as to why I’ve been able to get this far is I just never give in.
“You have to be so resilient and no matter what sport you are in it’s constant assessments and trials and knockbacks, injury, illness… but you just have to keep turning up.
“I always lived by the idea that if I worked hard enough, I can achieve what I want to achieve.”
