Rebecca started rowing aged 17 and, within eight months, had progressed from being a novice to competing in the GB Juniors Squad. In three short years, Rebecca became the U23 World Rowing Champion showing the depth and strength of her determination to succeed at the highest level.
Going from strength to strength, Rebecca went on to win a silver medal at the Athens 2004 Olympics in the quadruple sculls, and the following year was part of the British crew that won the 2005 World Rowing Championships in the quad sculls. Suffering from a persistent back injury, however, she retired from rowing in 2006, but her love of sport was such that she took up cycling and, before long, was competing with the very best in her new discipline.
Specialising in individual and team pursuit, Rebecca enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks in track cycling, shattering British records and becoming double World Cycling Champion and Olympic Cycling Champion all within two and a half years of joining in the sport – this made her the first British athlete and only the second woman in history to win Olympic medals in two different disciplines. In recognition for her achievements, Romero was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Since her Olympic successes, Rebecca has attempted numerous other challenges with considerable success. In 2009 she made an attempt to break the record for the 874-mile non-stop mixed tandem bicycle ride Land's End to John O'Groats. She and her partner, James Cracknell, were unsuccessful however, Rebecca having to give up with a knee injury more than halfway through the challenge. Following her withdrawal from the 2012 Olympics, she competed in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Mallorca and in 2012, the Ironman UK event and the Ironman World Championships.
Rebecca’s success in both rowing and cycling is proof that determination, ability and hard work will allow you to break down barriers and fulfil your dreams. The story of how she became the first British woman ever to succeed in two different sports at the Olympic Games is highly motivating and inspiring, making her the perfect fit for sports events and corporate conferences.
