AS SHE'S CONFIRMED FOR TEAM G.B. THIS SUMMER HELEN GLOVER TELLS US HOW HER CHILDREN ARE SPURRING HER ON TO MAKE A SPLASH AT THE PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES

When rower Helen Glover envisages herself crossing the finish line at the Paris 2024 Olympics, it’s not a gold medal she’s holding, but something far more precious: her three children.

- EMILY HORAN

“When I think about the finish line, I don’t think about the result but that the kids will be there,” the double Olympic champion – mum to Logan, five, and twins Kit and Bo, four, with husband Steve Backshall, 51 – exclusively tells hello! after being selected for Team GB’s squad. “Win or lose, they’ll be happy to see me and give me a cuddle, and that’s really comforting.

“They’re the most important thing in my life – the result is just a bonus. When I was deciding to go for Paris, the image of them being on the finish line was the thing that sealed the deal for me.”

The children are old enough to grasp the incredible feat their mum is taking on – although “there’s varying degrees of caring”, says Helen with a laugh.

“Sometimes they’re like: ‘Meh, Mummy’s on the rowing machine again,’ and sometimes they’re really interested and excited.”

FINAL PREPARATIONS

Part of the coxless four with Rebecca Shorten, Esme Booth and Sam Redgrave, Helen is entering the intense final phase of training, which includes a month in Italy. “I don’t like going away and leaving my kids, but I’m really fortunate that Steve has taken up working from home for this period so he can be there for the children,” she says.