Karen Cromie

Karen was selected in the TA double scull for the 2008 Paralympic Games and positioned 5th. 

Karen started to row when she returned back home from University in June 2006 on Lough Erne in County Fermanagh.  She came into rowing through the GB Rowing's talent identification scheme after an introduction to the sport through Helene Raynsford, another GB adaptive rower. Karen took part in her first World Rowing Championships shortly afterwards in 2006, finishing 6th in the double scull. The following year in May she suffered a back injury. After a few months of intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy Karen participated in her second World Rowing Championships in Munich in 2007 where she and her crewmate James Roberts came 8th and qualified their boat for the first Paralympics, Beijing 2008.

Karen has been supported and encouraged from all her family and friends at home and both Portora and Belfast Rowing Clubs in Northern Ireland.

Before joining the GB adaptive rowing team, Karen was a member of GB Women's Wheelchair Basketball Team with whom she won silver medals at both the 2005 and 2006 Paralympic World Cups. She also competed in the same event at the European Championships in 2005, finishing 4th.

Karen has completed a degree in Occupational Therapy.  She is also a keen traveler, having visited Australia, America and Kenya (on safari). Karen would like to participate in some charity work abroad when she has some more free time. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, having dinner parties and going to the cinema.

Karen Cromie is a member of the Sports Institute Northern Ireland who provide her with an excellent support network.