Rainbow Laces: Paralympians Lauren Rowles and Jude Hamer on finding love during lockdown

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Paralympians Jude Hamer and Lauren Rowles describe how lockdown helped them find more than a training partner in each other

Lauren Rowles and Jude Hamer were both adapting to the pandemic-forced postponement of the Tokyo Paralympics when their chats on social media began to gather pace.

Rowles, who struck gold in the mixed sculls at Rio 2016, and wheelchair basketball international Hamer became good friends through a shared passion for CrossFit, as well as being ParalympicsGB colleagues.

"Over lockdown, we got talking," says Rowles. "Jude was buying a rabbit at the time - she sent me a photo and used it as her gateway to slide into my DMs!"

Rowles and sculls partner Laurence Whitely brought home gold medals from Rio 2016 as part of the hugely successful ParalympicsGB team

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They have now been together as a couple for six months, and with each having at one stage faced the prospect of training alone as they continued to prepare for the rescheduled Games, they have been able to inspire each other instead.

Speaking to Sky Sports News' Mark McAdam to mark the annual activation of Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign for LGBT+ inclusion in sport, Hamer and Rowles explain how the damaging effect of lockdown on their social lives was hard to take.

Rowles and Hamer have been training at home as they look ahead to Tokyo

However, their blossoming relationship has brought happiness and hope. "We clicked really well," says Hamer. "We've been inseparable really since the first day we met."

Rowles adds: "People were grasping onto the fact that we were spending more time together. They've all been really supportive.

"I've only recently come out as being gay and that's been really well received by my team-mates."

Hamer has a silver medal from the 2018 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Hamburg

Proudly wearing pairs of Rainbow Laces - with Hamer sporting one of the new designs, in the bisexual Pride flag colours - they are huge advocates for representation, in all aspects of their lives.

"It's really important whether you have a disability or you're gay or whatever it may be, for you to see that," says Rowles. "It could be people in the media, in your local street, or in the shops you go to. When I grew up, I didn't know anyone with a disability."

Both Paralympians are proud to be wearing their Rainbow Laces to mark the Stonewall campaign's annual activation

Hamer says there are still challenges but over time, her confidence has grown. "I get more upset when it's adults staring," she explains. "I've had that a lot where someone's walking past us and staring the whole time.

"But now, I don't care. You can stare - I'm just out here and living my life."

Hamer in action for Great Britain against the Netherlands in Hamburg (image: British Wheelchair Basketball/SA Images)

Rowles echoes her girlfriend's belief in the power of authenticity. "I realise you are inspiring a whole generation of kids or even adults.

"Whether it's disability or sexuality, through seeing other people and it socially being accepted, they've found the confidence to go on and live their life."

Sky Sports is a member of TeamPride which supports Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign. If you'd like to help inspire others in sport by sharing your own story of being LGBT+ or an ally, please contact us here.