Former Rydal Penrhos pupil and star rower Vicky Thornley came agonisingly close to securing a medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Vicky Thornley and her dream of securing a medal from the Tokyo Olympics came to a dramatic end in the women’s single sculls final early on Friday morning.
The former Rydal Penrhos pupil progressed well in the heats, quarter-final and semi-final stages to reach the showcase, giving her a good chance of coming away with her second consecutive medal for Team GB.
Vicky produced a rousing effort over the second half of the race to put her right in contention, but she eventually finished fourth despite a fantastic effort from the 33-year-old.
She was pipped to bronze by Austria’s Magdalena Lobnig, with just 67 hundredths of a second separating the two rowers.
New Zealander Emma Twigg, who finished ahead of Vicky in the semi-finals, crossed the line first to secure gold.
Speaking after the race, Vicky said: “Fourth is tough, but I don’t think I could have done any more, especially in the second half of the race.
“I didn’t have quite enough at the end, but I am proud of what I have delivered over the last eight days. There have been some hellish days, especially the three days waiting for the semi-final.
“The last five years have been incredible – some of my darkest days and some of my best days. I am proud of the race I put together.
“I thought I had the momentum, but I didn’t have quite enough.”
Despite missing out on a medal, Vicky can be enormously proud of her accomplishments, She is the first Team GB athlete to ever reach the women’s single sculls final and already has a silver medal from the women’s double sculls alongside Dame Katherine Grainger, which the duo achieved at the Rio games.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos would like to congratulate Vicky on an incredible effort during the games. She gave absolutely everything and we are incredibly proud of her!
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