Olympic champion Katherine Grainger returns to rowing after two years out
Wednesday 13 May 2015 17:00, UK
Katherine Grainger will return to international rowing at the European Championships after a two-year absence from the sport.
The Olympic gold medallist will race in the women's double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley - who beat her in the single scull final at the GB trials in April - for Team GB in Poznan from May 29-31.
At London 2012, the Scot finally ended her wait for gold when taking the honours in the double sculls alongside partner Anna Watkins after claiming silver in the previous three Games.
The 39 year-old, the only female athlete to win medals in four consecutive Olympics, returned to training last September.
There are also high hopes for Olympic and world champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who will defend the women’s pair title won by Glover with Polly Swann last year. Swann misses out this year through injury.
Glover said, “We anticipate an incredibly tough field this year but the aim is to win medals while not losing sight of the main goal which is Rio next year”.
Stanning said, “If you look back 12 months I’m in far better shape than I was then. I’ve had a really solid winter and training has been going very well”.
Britain topped the medal table with eight, including two golds, at the 2014 European Championships in Serbia and in an Olympic qualifying year will be aiming to achieve a similar feat.
