Lauren Rowles OBE, hailed by British Rowing as the greatest Paralympic rower of all time, has announced her retirement from the sport. The 27-year-old from Bromsgrove leaves behind an unparalleled legacy, being the only athlete in the world to win three Paralympic gold medals in rowing.

Rowles, who became a parent last year, reflected on the family moments she missed while dedicating herself to rowing. "You start to think about life on the other side," she said, emphasizing her desire for a new challenge.

She plans to return to wheelchair track racing, where her elite athletic career began. "When I went into rowing, there was this element of never finishing the project I started in wheelchair racing, which is why I want to go back and give it my best shot," Rowles explained.

Her last junior wheelchair racing event was at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. With the Games returning to the city in 2026, Rowles aims to compete once again. She intends to leverage her "champion mindset" and the extensive training and experience gained from rowing in this new chapter of her career.

Rowles expressed pride in her historic achievements and the legacy she leaves in the sport. "I've been so proud to be part of teams that have been historic, and have a phenomenal legacy within sport," she said.

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