Olympic hopeful Irwin set to make GB debut
Lauren Irwin has been selected to make her senior GB debut in a World Cup Rowing Regatta in Sabaudia, Italy, this weekend.
Irwin, 22-years-old and from Peterlee, is part of British Rowing 'Project Paris' where 32 elite athletes are working towards competing in 2024 Paris Olympics.
With this being the last regatta before the Tokyo Olympics,Laurenwillbecompeting against the world's best crews before they compete again in Tokyo later this year.
Lauren, who attended St Bede's Comprehensive in Peterlee, started rowing when shewasaged14afterherschool PE teacher put her forward to compete in local indoor rowing competitions around the Easington area.
Lauren quickly found that she enjoyed the sport and joined Chester-le-Street Rowing
Club.
Successcamequicklywhen she won all the local regattas in the region, and her successes saw her selected to compete in the Junior World Championships in Rotterdam in 2016, with another local girl from Durham, Hope Cessford.
Lauren, who is funded by the National Lottery, trains up to three times per day, six days a week.
She also clinched a gold medal in the Under-23 World Championships in Saratosa USA,againwithHopeCessford by her side.
The 32 athletes competing in Italy are a group of young people, many of whom have already achieved gold medal successes on both the junior and U23 stage. Some will be making their international debuts while others will be making their first outing in a senior vest.