EMILY Ford has been speaking in the wake of qualifying for a rowing final in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

She and her older brother Tom, who are former students of The Grange School in Hartford and hail from Holmes Chapel, will both go for Olympic gold on Saturday after helping their respective crews through their heats in the French capital.

The women’s eight held off the challenge of Australia and reigning champions Canada to advance straight to the final, avoiding Thursday’s repechage.

The men, who arrive as double world and triple European champions, did likewise to ensure Saturday could be a memorable day for the Ford family.

Reflecting on the women’s race, Emily said: “It was a really good start.

“We haven’t raced since Lucerne (in May), so it has been quite a while. It was a bit nerve-wracking to get the first race out the way, but I feel ready for the final. We have a few days of training, so we’ll see what happens.

“Prep has been really good. We’ve had a few challenges, but we’ve overcome them, and we put in a really good performance.

“It was still close today and anything can happen, they have another race they can work things out in, and the final could be anything. It’s a good statement to make but it’s not over.”

Tom and Emily are two of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

This is the second Olympics the siblings have taken part in together but the first their family have been able to attend.

Tom’s bronze as part of the men’s eight was one of just two medals Britain’s rowers brought home from Japan but the returning Olympians among the squad are keen to point out the contrasts between the two Games – on and off the water.

“It’s a lot different to Tokyo,” said Emily. “There is a lot more going on, it’s my first non-Covid games and the crowds are amazing.

“Spirits are really high. We have canoeing (competitors) in our hotel, and they got a bronze yesterday, which was so cool. If the atmosphere is up, it will bring fire in the bellies, and we want to build on it.

“Tom came to me on the bike when I was doing recovery and gave me a fist bump. To win an Olympic heat on the same day is pretty cool.”

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