Olympic champion rower Katherine Grainger admits she will achieve a life-long ambition this summer when she takes to the start line for the 2014 London Marathon.
After three successive Olympic silver medals, Grainger realised her dream when she claimed double sculls gold at London 2012 alongside Anna Watkins.
But the 38-year-old is not about to stop pushing herself and revealed that she is running this year’s London Marathon to raise funds for London 2012’s legacy charity International inspiration, of which she is a trustee.
Having fulfilled Lord Coe’s 2005 Singapore Promise to reach 12 million children and young people across the world by the London 2012 Games, International Inspiration has continued to embody this promise.
The charity had already surpassed its ambitious target, changing the lives of over 15 million children and young people, and is now committed to continue to help inspire and engage the youth and excluded around the world through sport for years to come.
And Grainger is hoping her involvement in the London Marathon will help the charity grow even bigger.
“I am delighted to announce that, on behalf of International Inspiration, I will be able to fulfil a long standing ambition and run the 2014 London Marathon,” she said.
“Starting my training, I’ve realised that this challenge will fully push me out of my comfort zone as an Olympic rower.
“But International Inspiration is about making a difference to people’s lives and providing opportunities where there weren’t any before and I’m proud to play my part.
“I want to raise awareness of the charity’s fantastic work, which has already helped to inspire and transform the lives of over 15 million children, young and disadvantaged people around the world through the power of sport.”
© Sportsbeat 2014