Rower Rowan McKellar hopes that learning the art of winning will enable Team GB to achieve their goals in Paris.

After a fourth-place finish in Tokyo as part of a miserable regatta for Great Britain, the Glaswegian heads into the Olympics primed to challenge for a podium spot in the women's eight.

Success at the World and European Championships means the squad go into the Games with added expectation, but McKellar insists pressure is part of the job description when it comes to the GB Rowing Team.

“It was hard coming fourth in Tokyo, but it was still a very good result which I’m proud of,” McKellar said.

“But I think it has definitely given me extra motivation this whole Olympiad just thinking about how close we were, and this cycle has gone really well.

“And that gives us that boost and confidence and a little belief that we can actually get a medal and that's exciting.

“I don’t think it adds pressure, because as part of the British rowing team, there’s always pressure because there’s been such a history in the sport.

“For Tokyo, we hadn’t had results in the build-up, but spectators watch the Olympics and have expectations.

“Expectations on the team were high then and also now - but hopefully we’ll be able to produce results in Paris we weren’t able to in Tokyo.

“We had to learn how to win races and that’s what we’ve been doing this cycle. It makes everything a bit more fun.”

The 30-year-old is one of four returning Olympians in the eight, with Hattie Taylor joining her in the four in Tokyo and Emily Ford part of the eight that finished in last place.

Coxswain Henry Fieldman won bronze in the men's eight but is now guiding the women's crew and would become the first man ever to win an Olympic medal in a women's event should he reach the podium.

As well as improved results, McKellar is excited about enjoying a proper Olympics experience that she missed out on in a Covid-affected Tokyo.

“It is very different to Tokyo,” she added. “It’s a completely different atmosphere - more media, more hype around everything, people involved rather than being totally terrified of seeing any human being.

“We will actually see the city we are going to, as an Olympic athlete. We didn't see any of Tokyo, just the Village.

“It makes it special that it’s so close. I’m really pleased that my entire family will be able to come.

“It was pretty sad for Tokyo, with a lack of spectators, my parents not being able to come was rough. They've come to basically every event I've done so it was sad they couldn’t be at the pinnacle, but hopefully this will make up for it.

“My family has had to sacrifice a lot so I’m excited that my parents, siblings and nieces and nephews will be there - they are having a big holiday whereas I'm out there doing the business!

“I’m hoping they can have a nice time; we can get a good result and it will make it all worth it.”

McKellar is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

As McKellar aims to inspire her nieces and nephews in Paris, she reflected on role models that inspired her to achieve her Olympic dreams.

“For me when I was growing up, Kelly Holmes was my inspirational hero,” she added. “I remember watching her at the Olympics and her face when crossing the line - it was just awesome.

“Rowers like Katherine Grainger too - for her to carry on for so many Olympics winning silvers to eventually get her gold medal.

“I hope people can watch us and be inspired. If someone came up to me and said ‘I started rowing’ after the Olympics, I would absolutely love that.

“Inspiring the next generation is something we need to continue to do. I was inspired by London 2012, so I’d love to do a similar thing.”

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport.  To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk