It was a successful weekend for University of Bath-based rowers past and present when they contested the 2025 GB Rowing Team Senior and U23 Selection Trials at Caversham, and there was another magical moment for Paris 2024 medallist Becky Wilde when she was named as rowing’s BOA Female Olympic Athlete of the Year during the post-event presentation ceremony.
Wilde, who memorably won 2x bronze on her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, was a silver-medallist on this occasion with Sarah McKay.
The Sport and Social Sciences graduate was also presented with a trophy by Dame Katherine Grainger after being named as rowing’s BOA Female Olympic Athlete of the Year in honour of her outstanding achievements both on and off the water.
A meteoric 2024 season saw Wilde overcome injury and surgery to break into the senior squad, secure a Paris place at the final Olympic Qualification Regatta and then win bronze on the biggest stage with Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne. Her achievements were hailed as a triumph over a series of challenges and credited as an inspiration to athletes of the future, bringing great credit to herself, the GB Rowing Team and Team GB.
“This is very special and it means a lot to win this trophy after the experience of 2024,” said Wilde. “I still have to pinch myself about the whirlwind from Europeans, to FOQR and the Olympics. We worked so hard and it was such a special project which became a real dream come true. It was the stuff dreams are made of. I’ve never raced at a World Championships so I am really excited to start racing this season.”
Find out more about rowing at the University of Bath, including details of how to apply for testing with the Bath Performance Development Academy, by visiting teambath.com/rowing.