Team GB’s Lola Anderson was in tears as she recalled her heartwarming wish saved by her late father after winning Olympic gold.
The British women’s quad skull team snatched the gold medal with quite literally the final stroke of the event, just edging the Netherlands, who had looked set to claim victory.
Team GB pulled off an incredible sprint in the last stretch, with the race originally too close to call as they crossed the line and ending in a photo finish with the Dutch.
But soon, Great Britain were confirmed as champions, leading all four competitors inside the boat – Anderson, Georgina Brayshaw, Lauren Henry and Hannah Scott – to celebrate wildly.
Anderson quickly burst into tears as she soaked in the moment – and she later detailed the emotional significance of her win in her post-row interview.
The 26-year-old was inspired to take up rowing after watching London 2012, and at the age of 13, she wrote a note in her diary of her dreams to be a gold medal-winning Olympic rower.
This was a note she soon threw away – but little did she know her father retrieved it from the bin, handing it back to her after she won a world under-23 title in the quadruple sculls seven years later.
“I threw that away because I didn’t believe,” a tearful Anderson said.
“I mean I was 13 at the time, so why would you believe that?
“My dad saw it before I did. He saw the potential I had, but my potential wouldn’t have been unlocked without the girls that crossed the line with me today.
“I’m grateful for everyone who has got me here and I would be very proud if he was here.”
Anderson’s father, Don, was also a rower, competing regularly whilst at university in Durban, South Africa.
He was the one to help Lola get into the sport. He sadly passed away with cancer in late 2019.
“I always get a bit nervous taking [the note] anywhere with me,” she said. “What happens if a suitcase gets lost, or something like that?
“It’s a piece of paper but it’s the most valuable thing I have, maybe joint with this now.
“It’s safe in a tin with all my dad’s old medals.”
Great Britain pipped the Netherlands to gold by just 0.15 seconds after trailing the Dutch for the entirety of the race until the final metre.
News Summary:
- Team GB Olympic gold medallist Lola Anderson breaks down in tears as she recalls special note saved by late father
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.