Olympic champion rower Glover collects OBE

Champion Olympic rower Helen Glover has officially been made OBE and said having children made her more driven to succeed.

Glover won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and claimed silver in Paris 2024, having given birth to a son in July 2018 and twins 18 months later.

The 38-year-old Maidenhead resident, who is one of the most decorated female British rowers, received her award from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.

"Watching my kids have a day at the castle and seeing it through their eyes is really, really special," she said.

"When I was training I tried to not make them very aware of it, I never wanted them to feel on the back foot.

"But being out in Paris, seeing me on the podium, I want to really send home for them what the hard work is for and that they can aspire to be whatever they want to be."

During a reception for Paris 2024 medallists, at Buckingham Palace in November, Glover handed the King an envelope containing a sketch by her son, who wanted to ask him to "save the animals".

She said her son has since received a letter from the King, which is now framed in the family's living room.

"I want the kids to feel like they can have an impact," she continued.

"Any time they feel like their voices can be heard is really empowering.

"I think the King has a very genuine interest in climate change, in animal extinction. Having someone like that as the head of the Royal Family is amazing."

Glover won gold medals for Team GB in the women's coxless pair at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and silver in the women's coxless four at Paris 2024.

She also competed at Tokyo 2021 in the women's coxless pair. They came fourth.

"Two of my Olympics were before having children and two were after, and coming back post-childbirth, I never thought that was possible," she added.

"Whether you want to come back and be an Olympian or you want to come back to a hobby you used to enjoy, no woman should have being a mum as the barrier to that.

"I changed fundamentally as an athlete when I had children. Put that into the workplace, you become this force.

"You're fiercely driven, you have this mindset shift that makes you unstoppable."

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