It’s the fifth and probably the last time Kiwi rowing superstar Emma Twigg will go for gold under the iconic rings we all recognise as the Olympics. But heading into the Paris competition as the defending single sculls champion following her spectacular win at the Tokyo Games, you can’t help but think that the 37-year-old is saving something special for the end.
After all, Twiggie, as she is nicknamed, has nothing to prove now having ticked off Olympic glory following heartbreakingly close fourth-place performances in 2012 and 2016, which almost saw her quit the sport forever. In fact, no woman has ever rowed the event faster at an Olympics than Emma in her Tokyo gold medal race.
“The monkey’s off the back in terms of I’ve won and I’ve become an Olympic champion. Now it’s just about enjoying the experience,” she says.
Many aspects of the athlete’s life have changed since her first Olympic appearance at just 21 years old. Today, she is married to Charlotte, whom she met through mutual friends. The couple wed in 2020, and now are parents to two-year-old Tommy. They will be by her side in Paris, providing support and inspiration.
“Having that extra element that they’re going to be in the stands and he’s starting to know what Mama does. That’s pretty cool,” says Emma.
It just might be the edge the veteran athlete needs to bring home gold one more time.
Watch Emma compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics exclusively with Sky Sport.
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