Written by Rachel, Year 13
At this term’s Ada Benson Lecture we welcomed Rory Gibbs, a Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist and world-class rower who shared his journey to the top of his sport. His visit was not only a celebration of his success and remarkable achievements, but also highlights the personal challenges that athletes face beyond the podium.
Rory captivated the audience with his story, starting from when he first began rowing at 18 to being selected for Team GB and talked about the preparations and sacrifices that he made on the way to his gold medal victory earlier this year. He exemplifies the values of hard work, perseverance and teamwork, as rowing is known for its physical and mental intensity, and demands years of disciplined training, both on and off the water. Everyone listened intently as he described the grueling training sessions, physical recovery, importance of mental health and navigating those setbacks and periods of self-reflection.
Winning a gold medal is the pinnacle of success in this sport, and hearing directly from Rory with his Olympic triumph offers valuable lessons for aspiring athletes and also anyone striving
for excellence in their pursuits. Rory’s story emphasised the importance that success is not just about winning and achieving goals but also about adapting and finding strength in times of self-doubt and uncertainty. His talk was an opportunity to learn about the journey to success and provided valuable insights to overcoming obstacles along the way.
Rory shared an inspiring story with us, making it deeply relatable and we celebrated his incredible achievement together. Everyone greatly enjoyed this wonderful evening and we all got the chance to hold the gold medal!
