Katherine Grainger became the most decorated female BritishOlympian ever on Thursday after winning the silver medal in the double skullsevent with her partner Vicky Thornley. The 40-year-old claimed her fifth Olympicmedal in Rio – taking her ahead of the previous record holder Rebecca Adlington.
Their success at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas has come as asurprise to some, as Katherine initially missed a place in the women's team forRio in June, but belatedly earned a place after coming sixth at the WorldChampionships alongside Welsh athlete Vicky.
Katherine has become the most decorated female Olympian ofall time
Katherine has now competed – and won medals – in five consecutiveOlympic Games. She had previously won gold in the same event with Anna Watkinsat the London 2012 Olympics, and picked up a silver medal at the Sydney, Athensand Beijing Olympics too.
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The success will come as a huge relief to Katherine, whopreviously said she was determined to win a medal in Rio.
Katherine and her partner Vicky Thornley won silver in thedouble skulls event
"I didn't take time out, then come back, to go to a fifthOlympics and just get a T-shirt. Vicky and myself both want a medal and wehaven't lowered our sights," she said. "It's not been the smoothestor most direct route but it's a relief that we're there.
"There have been days when I couldn't necessarily see away forward but I never stopped believing I could get there. I knew coming backwas a huge task for me physically and mentally, getting back in a boat and backto where my standards and expectations were. I always saw that as being thebiggest test I'd face."
