2020 season comes to an end for Olympic squads

The 2020 season has come to a close for our men’s and women’s squads

After training for four months in kitchens, living rooms and gazebos around the UK, our Olympic squads are heading off on a well earned summer break.

 

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Today I should have been flying to Tokyo but instead I’ve finished my season at home on the rowing machine. It’s been an emotional and tough 4 months and couldn’t have got through it without my family, @j_collins89 and friends! Thank you for always being my rocks! . Huge shout out and a massive thank you to @britishrowing and @scottishrowing! They’ve kitted us out and made it possible and that little bit easier to train through these tough times! . #rowing #olympics #greatbritain #team #gb #athlete #lockdown #sport #exercise #health #staysafe #home #training #edinburgh #scotland

A post shared by Karen Bennett (@karenbennett89) on Jul 15, 2020 at 7:56am PDT

Our senior GB rowers and staff are usually based at British Rowing’s national training centre in Caversham, but many have travelled back to stay with family around the UK since Caversham’s doors closed back in March. Despite the postponement of the Olympic Games and the cancellation of all the summer regattas the squad have got some fantastic training under their belt, with Tom George breaking the men’s 2km squad record from his parents’ shed.

 

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Season 2019/20…bye! A lot of time spent on this machine over the last 7 weeks and a lot of time spent on land over the last 3 months. . Today I was meant to be in Tokyo for the Olympic Games but instead I cranked out a few more hours on the bike. This season has definitely not been what I expected it to be, in more ways than one, but you have to learn to roll with what gets thrown at you. . Time for a holiday but I can’t wait to get back out on the water in a few weeks time and work towards @tokyo2020 . #training #tokyo2020 #olympics #greatbritain #wattbike #cycling #rehab #rowing #rudern #remo #sculler

A post shared by Victoria Thornley (@vickythornleygb) on Jul 15, 2020 at 1:50pm PDT

Olympic silver medallist Dr Polly Swann spent three months working as a doctor alongside her training to support the NHS during the COVID crisis.

 

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Should’ve been flying out to @tokyo2020 today to start our @teamgb Olympic campaign. Instead I’ve done my last session on the grey machine for the season in the hallway and and looking forward to a holiday. . . . We’ll come back stronger and ready to go next year. #iamteamgb #olympics #tokyo2020

A post shared by Polly Swann (@pollyswanngb) on Jul 15, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

In line with British Rowing’s advice to members, as lockdown has eased, our squads have been able to carry out on-water exercise in consultation with their coach. This is optional and not part of the core training programme; water activity is limited to low-intensity technical work for safety and to role model a gradual and safe return to on-water rowing.

A trial group of athletes have also been at Caversham for the past couple of weeks to test out the new COVID processes which include temperature checks, antibody tests and new one-way circulation routes around the site, thanks to the hard work of our medical and facilities teams. Each person has different circumstances at the moment – whether that be to do with health, family, work or childcare – and as such our athletes and staff have gone through an active opt-in process before they return to Caversham, supported by our chief medical officer, our psychologist and Performance Lifestyle advisors.

 

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They should have been on the plane to Tokyo today… instead our Olympic squad have just wrapped up their final day of training for the 2020 season. Here’s to a well earned rest 🔙🔜

A post shared by British Rowing (@britishrowing) on Jul 15, 2020 at 7:13am PDT

The team will return to kick off the 2020/21 season in September to reset and refocus on the rescheduled Olympic Games.

Follow the team on Instagram @britishrowing.