Frost Magazine is so thrilled that triple Paralympic rowing champion Lauren Rowles has today announced her retirement from rowing in order to commit full-time to a career in wheelchair racing. The announcement, which marks the date anniversary a year on from her last gold at Paris 2024, closes the chapter on an incredible career in the sport, which also saw her become a two-time World champion and three-time European champion.
She is one of a select group of athletes who have achieved the extraordinary feat of winning gold at three consecutive Paralympic Games, having won her first golds alongside her long-time rowing partner Laurence Whitely at Rio 2016 in the TA Mixed Double Sculls and in Tokyo in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls, before following up her final gold alongside Gregg Stevenson in France last summer.
Now the focus for Lauren will be increasing her gold tally in her new sport, in which she impressively made her debut at the 2025 TCS London Marathon, all, I might add, while still training and competing in rowing.
Lauren, who started rowing just a year before her first Paralympic gold and was inspired to take up Paralympic sport after watching London 2012, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of what I’ve achieved over the past decade.
“It all started with a dream a 16-year-old girl had when she sat in a boat for the first time. Now, sat here as the most successful Paralympic Rower of all time, it’s more than she ever imagined. I’m thankful to everyone who has played a part in that journey and will always look back at this as my greatest chapter.
“But as one chapter closes there was always another unfinished and I’m excited to be getting back on track to finish a journey I started as a junior in wheelchair racing. Who knows what the future holds but as always whatever comes next will be marvellous.”
Outside of rowing, 27 year old Lauren is an active spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community and wants to encourage and inspire children to get involved in sport. She lives with her fiancé, Paralympic basketball star Jude Hamer, and their young son.
The announcement was made by Lauren on her social media channels, alongside this video.