Queen’s College Taunton proudly announces that alumna Rebecca Wilde has achieved a bronze medal in the Women’s Double Sculls Rowing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wilde, partnering with Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, secured their place on the podium with an impressive time of 6:53.22.
After their remarkable race, Wilde and Hodgkins-Byrne looked satisfied with their bronze, having hung on well after initially flying into silver for much of the opening portion of the race. A 12-second hug followed as they exited their boat on the medallist’s jetty. During an interview, Wilde said “it will take a long time to sink in, it was amazing. It is so many years of hard work as I have dreamed of coming here to the Olympics.”
It was quite an achievement for the pair to medal, considering Wilde had only competed in three international events prior to the Olympics and had surgery on her forearms just 10 months ago, and Hodgkins-Byrne took time away from the sport after Tokyo 2020 to have her son Freddie, now two.
Wilde’s journey to the Olympics is a remarkable testament to her dedication and perseverance. She earned her place on Team GB after an outstanding performance at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Switzerland earlier this year. Prior to rowing, Wilde excelled at the national level as a swimmer for a decade, representing Wales internationally. While studying at Bath University, she transitioned to rowing and joined the Talent ID programme World Class Start.
Her athletic prowess is perhaps unsurprising given her background: both of her parents are teachers at Queen’s College Taunton and have competed in sports at an international level. Her brother and sister have also followed the family’s example participating at an international level, further highlighting the exceptional sporting environment that has surrounded her. Rebecca Wilde’s achievement not only brings pride to her family, friends and peers but also serves as an inspiration to current students at Queen’s College, Taunton.
Rebecca Wilde’s success brings immense pride to her family who have travelled to Paris to watch her compete. The Queen’s College community celebrates Rebecca Wilde’s extraordinary accomplishment and congratulates her on this outstanding success.
Mr & Mrs Wilde celebrated “An unbelievable experience for us a family to be able to watch Rebecca competing in an Olympics . Wonderful to see her and Mathilda perform so brilliantly and to win a bronze medal. Still feels surreal but we are all so proud of her dedication, spirit and bravery. Celebrating with her, her friends, Mathilda and her partner and fellow Thursday medallists at Team GB House last night was memorable to say the least!”
