Rower’s Olympic dream comes true

STRATFORD rower Esme Booth’s Olympic dream has come true after she was selected as part of the 42-strong squad to represent Team GB.

The 25-year-old will race in the women’s four when she makes her Dames debut in Paris later this summer.

“It’s always been my dream to make it to the Olympic Games,” said Booth. “It feels surreal to have got here and be selected, given the women’s team is amazing across the board. It is an incredible thing to be a part of.”

In 2023, Booth and Emily Ford became the first British women to qualify two boats for an Olympics at the same regatta thanks to their performances at the World Championships. Booth’s reward is a seat in the prestigious four that has gone on to capture World Cup gold in Varese and silver at the European Championships.

She will be joined by Rebecca Shorten, the only returning member of the crew that finished fourth at Tokyo in 2020, and Sam Redgrave - no relation to Sir Steve – who has defied finger and back injuries to make her first Olympic crew boat.

The fourth member of the crew is two-time Olympic gold medallist Helen Glover, who is aiming to become the first British mum-of-three to win a medal at the Games.

Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB and Paralympics GB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024.