ROWING siblings Tom and Emily Ford will lean heavily on their bond when they make sporting history at Paris 2024.

Tom and Emily Ford will become the first brother and sister pairing to represent Team GB at two Olympic Games when they get on the water at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium next week.

Racing in the men’s and women’s eight respectively, the duo from Holmes Chapel who studied at The Grange School in Hartford have always gone toe-to-toe in the sporting arena.

“We were very, very competitive growing up,” said Tom, 31. “I think that’s now turned into a supportive competitiveness.

“We’ve actually got older twin brothers and we were very driven growing up - there were quite a lot of arguments.”

Tom and Emily both made their Olympic debuts at Tokyo 2020, with the former winning bronze in the men’s eight. Both believe that being able to turn to your sibling in the pressure-cooker of an Olympics is an advantage.

Emily added: “Going to one Olympic Games is pretty amazing but to do it alongside Tom, it’s incredible. It makes me quite proud.

“It’s great to have that source of support right next to you and if we’re having any issue, we’ve got the other one right there. It’s pretty special that no-one has ever done it twice.

“We see each other every day and we will speak to each other all the time in Paris. It’s a source of support - it’s different to talking to anyone else, we can talk to each other and it won’t go any further than that. It’s a great network to have right there so we might as well use it.”

Tom sits in the crucial stroke seat at the front of the men's eight.

Since Tokyo, he has become a double world and triple European champion, fuelling hope for gold in the French capital.

Emily was part of the women’s eight that won World Cup gold at Lucerne last year, European silver and secured Olympic qualification with fourth place at the World Championships.

“We’ve had quite a good run-in,” said Emily. “I’m confident we can win a medal, it’s just a case of what colour, so it’s exciting.”

Both will start their Olympic Regatta campaign on Monday, July 29, with the men’s eight heats scheduled to start at 10.40am and the women’s eight heats at 11am.

The Fords know better than anyone the importance of familial support and they will benefit from Aldi’s Nearest & Dearest programme in Paris.

The programme helps maximise support and minimise potential distractions for athletes so that they can focus on their performance and make the most of the unique opportunity to compete on one of the world’s largest stages.

The siblings are part of a 42-strong rowing squad who have been selected, across 10 boats, to represent Team GB.

Of the 23 women and 19 men, 50 percent are returning Olympians, including two-time gold medallist Helen Glover.

“The Olympic experience in this squad is huge, and I have no doubt it will be an asset to those rowers who will make their Olympic debut in Paris this summer,” said Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England.

“Our rowers have posted some outstanding results this season and I am sure the crews will relish the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of their friends, family, and Team GB fans.”

Glover, who will be part of the women’s four, is aiming to become the first British mum-of-three to win an Olympic medal.

Glover said: “A huge reason for aiming for Paris was thinking how great it will be to have my family there to watch and support me and being able to share all of this with them is so special.”

Aldi are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024