Isle of Wight's Annie Caddick selected to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Isle of Wight’s Annie Caddick has been selected to compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

ParalympicsGB have today announced ten rowers who have been selected, across four boats, to represent Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, including Annie Caddick.

Rowing in a new boat class
Annie and her rowing partner, Sam Murray will be rowing in a new boat class.

Sam and Annie have rowed together since 2023 and were recently crowned European champions and for Sam, this new event will see him fulfil a Paralympic aspiration that started at a talent identification event back in 2007 where he was first noted as a potential rower.

They are excited to be making their Paralympic debuts in this inaugural event of the PR3 Mixed double sculls.

Caddick: Excited and a little nervous
Annie said,

“Each day it gets a bit closer and I get a little more excited and a little more nervous.
“Sam and I have built a great partnership and we are looking forward to being the first to represent Great Britain in this boat class.
“The competition is fierce and the standard is very close, so I think we’ll see some exciting racing!”

Annie’s background
Growing up on the island she used to travel by boat to school and spent her free time surfing with her family and her summers lifeguarding the Isle of Wight’s beaches.

Annie started rowing while studying at the University of Birmingham. Rowing appealed to Annie as it was the first time she had participated in a sport where, as someone with cerebral palsy, she felt she could keep up with her able-bodied teammates and was treated as an equal rather than someone with a disability.

While rowing with the university team Annie’s coach suggested she apply for British rowing’s para development program. Annie’s career highlights include medalling at the 2023 European Championships and achieving Paralympic qualification at the world championships in the PR3 mixed double sculls.

Sam and Annie with their rowing oars — Sam and Annie © Benedict Tufnell for British Rowing

Murray: It’s been a long journey
Sam said,

“We’ve put so much work in and for me personally it’s been a long journey of being in and out of the squad for a number of years, so now to be selected for Paris, it’s very exciting.
“Part of the lure of coming back was to race in this new event and being so close to home is a bonus as so many people are coming out to support us.”

Briscoe: Can’t wait to see them in action in Paris this summer
ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, Penny Briscoe, said,

“The past achievements of ParalympicsGB’s rowing squads speak for themselves – as a group their hard work, dedication and innate talent consistently pays off, and this squad of 10 athletes – who have already made an indelible mark on the World and European stage – is no different.
“I’m delighted to welcome all 10 athletes to the ParalympicsGB team for Paris 2024 and can’t wait to see them in action in Paris this summer.”

Dyson: Every one of them has a Paralympic, World, European or World Cup gold medal to their credit
Commenting on the team selection, British Rowing Head of Olympic and Paralympic Performance Delivery, Tom Dyson, who will be Rowing Team Leader in Paris, said,

“Rowing is consistently a top performing sport for ParalympicsGB and we’ll be looking to reinforce that in Paris. While our selected athletes are a blend of returning Tokyo 2020 Paralympians and those for whom Paris will be their first Games, every one of them has a Paralympic, World, European or World Cup gold medal to their credit. When you combine those rowers with a world-class group of coaches and support staff, we are all excited to show the world what the team has trained to deliver in Paris!”

The ParalympicsGB crews racing at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are:

PR3 mixed coxed four (PR3 Mix 4+)