Lauren Rowles is an inspirational Paralympic athlete whose journey to success is marked by determination, resilience, and a passion for sport. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2012 when, at the age of 13, she woke up paralysed from the waist down due to Transverse Myelitis. The months that followed were spent in hospitals and rehabilitation centres, where she fought to regain the use of her legs. Despite the physical limitations imposed by her condition, Lauren’s dream of becoming an Olympic athlete never wavered. She was deeply inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and by the age of 14, she had begun her career as an elite wheelchair track racer, representing Great Britain at international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and Junior World Championships.
In 2015, Lauren made a significant shift from Athletics to Rowing after being scouted by the British Rowing Team. This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter in her sporting career, one that would see her rapidly rise to prominence. Just five months after taking up rowing, Lauren secured a silver medal at the Senior World Rowing Championships and qualified her boat for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. At just 18 years old, she won her first Paralympic gold medal in the TA Mixed Double Sculls at the Rio 2016 Games. This victory not only established her as a force to be reckoned with on the global stage but also led to her being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List for her services to Rowing.
Lauren’s journey, however, has not been without its challenges. Between 2016 and 2019, she underwent three major surgeries but remained steadfast in her commitment to her sport. Her resilience paid off when she returned to claim her first World Championship title and set a Championship record in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 did not deter her; she continued to train from her living room to stay in peak condition. Her hard work was rewarded when she secured another Paralympic gold in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls at the Tokyo 2020 Games, which had been postponed to 2021. Lauren continued her winning streak, claiming gold medals at the 2023 World Championships, the 2023 and 2024 European Championships, and once again at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Lauren Rowles is also a respected public speaker and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She shares her story of personal growth, mental resilience, and self-acceptance, providing valuable insights on topics such as goal setting, team building, mental health, and overcoming adversity. Her experiences, both on and off the field, make her a powerful and versatile speaker, capable of inspiring diverse audiences around the world. Lauren's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing their own challenges.
