STRATFORD-upon-Avon rower Esme Booth realised her Olympic dream after being named in the GB squad for the Paris 2024 Games this summer.
Booth will race in the women’s four as part of a 42-strong rowing squad, across 10 boats, representing Team GB.
The 25-year-old began her journey in the sport at primary school and is making her Olympic debut at Paris 2024.
Booth said: “It’s always been my dream to make it to the Olympic Games. 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 captured gold at the World Cup in Varese and the European Championships in Szeged, Hungary earlier this year.
She will benefit from Aldi’s Nearest and Dearest programme in Paris which helps maximise support and minimise potential distractions for athletes so they can focus on their performance and make the most of the unique opportunity to compete on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Belfast-born Rebecca Shorten is the only returning member from the crew which finished fourth at Tokyo 2020 while Sam Redgrave, no relation to British rowing great Sir Steve, 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.
Shorten said: “We’ve done a really good job at finding our rhythm. Tokyo was a hard result but we didn’t have as much time together as a crew as what we have this time.
“The past year we have really cemented the crew, we’ve been able to go to races and prove that we have locked it in.”
Half of GB’s rowing squad are making their Olympic debut in Paris with the other half returning Olympians.
Team GB chef de mission, Mark England said: “The Olympic experience in this squad is huge, and I have no doubt it will be an asset to those rowers who will make their Olympic debut in Paris this summer.
“Our rowers have posted some outstanding results this season and I am sure the crews will relish the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their friends, family, and Team GB fans.”
Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024
