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Huge congratulations to MSc Research student, Charlie Elwes who won gold this week in the men’s eights. And a big shoutout to Heidi Long, whHeidi Long (due to be starting an MRes with Prof. Williams) who won Bronze in the women’s eights.

 

Charlie's British Rowing bio

After trying out every sport offered at prep school to no avail, Charlie found rowing whilst competing at the annual ergo competition - breaking the school record in the process

From there on, he never looked back. Rowing all through secondary school and on to Yale University in the US, Charlie loved the sport – everything around it, and everything that it gave to him.

Through countless selfless acts and undying support from friends and family, Charlie has managed to propel himself to multiple college national championships in the US as well as golds at European and senior World championships, plus a wealth of other international gold medals. Charlie also won a bronze medal in the men’s eight at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Rowing Regatta, Charlie won gold in the Men’s eight in superb style.

 

HEIDI'S BRITISH ROWING BIO

Heidi’s family are her inspiration and super strength.

Alongside extended family and friends, they’ve been her unwavering support system, travelling to cheer her on from every corner of the country and globe. Her brothers have trained and pushed her on whenever she has trained from home and kept her humble when they race against each other. She would not be where she is today without their infinite understanding, love and ability to make everything enjoyable. Her dad passed away in 2023, and one of the last notes he left were the log-ins for the Olympic tickets and accommodation. He believed Heidi could do it before anyone knew what could be possible, and his legacy lives on her with every stroke she takes. Her dream has become their dream as well and she is determined to make her mum, dad and brothers proud.

Heidi was an active child and loved to play as many sports as she could. Her family would watch the Olympics and she dreamed of being an Olympian but never knew which sport it would be in. After signing up to every sport possible at the start of secondary school, she joined the rowing club. She loved the camaraderie and teamwork of rowing and soon joined Marlow Rowing Club. She was fortunate enough to be part of a talented, ambitious and fun junior women’s squad which won multiple national titles and fuelled her love for the sport as she progressed to compete in the Junior and U23 World Championships. Receiving a scholarship to the University of Virginia, USA, she was part of another passionate and exciting women’s programme which deepened her appreciation for the sport as a whole and the importance of sport for women.  She joined Leander after graduating from University with the ambition to race for Great Britain and after joining the team in 2021 won the European and World Championships, 2022, in the women’s four.

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Rowing Regatta, Heidi won a brilliant bronze in the Women’s eight.

Beyond rowing, Heidi is passionate about using her platform to advocate for gender equality in sports. As a former captain of the University of Virginia’s women’s rowing team, she’s seen firsthand the transformative power of athletics for women, and is committed to breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.

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