Harvey's inspiring journey from last at sports day to the Games

DEAD last on school sports day in the 1,500m, Rose Harvey hardly seemed destined to be an Olympian.

- Matt Majendie

Nor when she joined the rowing club at university predominantly for the Wednesday night parties, nor for that matter when she became a lawyer.

But Covid struck, she lost her job and decided to train for an Ironman with fiance Charlie. With pools and gyms then shutting, she revised her target to running and making the Surrey County team.

Harvey never made it but, just two years since turning professional, will run for Britain in Paris in the marathon.

"I am proud to say I was last at school sports day," she said. "Hopefully inspiration to any children reading that you don't have to be brilliant at everything - just enjoy sport, find your passion and the rest will follow.

"At university, I joined the rowing club, mainly for the Wednesday night parties! I am so lucky to have had a very normal experience of school, university, and a career.