Katherine Grainger DBE

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With Olympic Silver at Rio 2016 to add to her gold at London 2012, silver medals from Sydney in 2000, Athens in 2004, and Beijing in 2008, as well as six world championships titles in her collection, Dame Katherine Grainger is Britain's most successful female rower.

She became Britain's first lady of rowing when she took the gold medal with Anna Watkins in the women's double sculls in August 2012.

In 2017 she became Dame Katherine Grainger in the New Year's Honours list for services to sport and charity. She was previously awarded the MBE and CBE for services to rowing, and her Olympic achievements make her the first female British athlete in any sport to gain medals in four consecutive Olympic Games.

Katherine  was born in Glasgow but now lives near the Thames, allowing her to operate as a member of the GB Rowing squad. But she goes home to Scotland whenever possible to see her family.  

She attended Edinburgh University, studying law, then went on to achieve an MPhil in Medical Law and Medical Ethics from Glasgow University. She also has a PHD in the sentencing of  homicide from King's College, University of London.

When Katherine took up rowing at University in 1993 she made such good progress and was awarded the Eva Bailey Trophy as their most outstanding female athlete in 1996 and 1997.

She is the Honorary President of the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association and is a member of Edinburgh rowing club, St Andrew Boat Club and Marlow Rowing Club. She is also an honorary life member of Aberdeen Boat Club.

In 2009, Katherine was named as Scottish Sportsperson of the Year and awarded the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy by Commonwealth Games Scotland, the first female to win this prestigious award pipping Andy Murray and Sir Chris Hoy.

In 2010 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and in 2011 received an honorary doctorate from   Edinburgh University.

In 2012 she was chosen as one of the five athlete ambassadors for promoting the key messages of Team GB the 2012 Olympic Team. She received the CBE in the 2013 New Year Honours List.

Her book 'Dreams Do Come True' was published in 2013.

Katherine is an impressive and accomplished speaker. She has an exciting story to tell and she tells it well in an inspirational and authoritative way, excelling when talking about teamwork, overcoming challenges, motivation, winning and the importance of communication.

 

 

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