In Emily Craig’s living room hangs a picture that tells a story of what can be lost in a heartbeat.
It also hints at how much can change for the better. This image from the rowing lake in Tokyo serves as a constant reminder for Craig and her teammate, Imogen Grant, as they head to Paris this summer, representing Team GB as an unstoppable force.
The picture was taken during the Olympic final of the women’s lightweight double sculls in 2021. Craig often says, “Not all fourth places are equal,” and this photograph captures the painful truth.
They missed the gold by just 0.5 seconds and were only 0.01 seconds away from bronze. Grant recalls the moment they saw the results, saying, “It was just absolute nothingness. After years of effort, what do you get? A picture on the wall.”
Turning Disappointment into Determination
Despite the heartbreak, Craig doesn’t wince when she sees the picture each morning. She explains, “It’s not about dwelling on what could have been, but rather what’s possible if things go smoothly.
Tokyo was pivotal, and without that experience, I might not still be racing.”
The years since Tokyo have brought exciting developments. The wall now boasts certificates celebrating world titles won in 2022 and 2023 and European golds collected in both years.
Their current streak of 20 straight victories is a testament to their resilience and skill, a streak that almost didn’t happen.
Rediscovering Their Passion
After Tokyo, Craig and Grant took separate paths. Craig, with a degree in East Asian art, worked in an auction house, while Grant returned to Cambridge to complete her medical degree.
Craig admits, “I needed to find myself again before deciding if competing was what I wanted.” By February 2022, she was ready to return, and the duo quickly realized they still had potential. Grant recalls, “When we got back in the double, we both thought, ‘Oh, this could be quite good.'”
Facing the Future with Confidence and Caution
Now, as they prepare for Paris, they carry the lessons of Tokyo with them. Their coach, Darren Whiter, reminds them, “It’s hard being you guys, but it’s harder being everybody else.”
Craig and Grant know better than most that past successes don’t guarantee future results. Grant adds, “We’ve seen too much to take anything for granted. None of this could matter if we don’t get it right in Paris.”
Their journey reflects the harsh realities of the Olympics, where a fraction of a second can change everything. As the only unchanged team from GB’s rowing squad in Tokyo, they aim to rewrite their narrative.
Grant confidently challenges, “All right, try to race us and see where that gets you.” Craig echoes this sentiment, knowing that while anything can happen, it would take something extraordinary to beat them.
Looking Ahead: A New Picture for the Wall
As they prepare for Paris, Craig and Grant hope to add a new, happier picture to the wall—a testament to their perseverance and the possibility of triumph after a narrow miss.
TDPel Media
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