Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors get stopped in the supermarket a bit more now they’re Olympic champions – and they don’t mind at all.
Towers of strength – Olympic rowing champions Brooke Francis (left) and Lucy Spoors with their gold medals in Paris.
“The Cambridge community has been a joy to come home to,” said Spoors.
“It’s always been so supportive, and the thing I’ve love about being home is sharing our success with the younger generation – young girls who want a photo or young boys who feel inspired by it and desperately want to see the medal.
“We’ve been humbled by the number of people who have told us they were watching the race and screaming at their TV.”
Spoors and Francis, who both have children under age two, had the nation on the edge of their seats on at the start of the month as they powered across the line at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium near Paris to beat reigning Olympic and world champions Ancuta Bodnar and Simona Radis of Romania in a thrilling women’s double sculls final.
Spoors still finds it hard to describe that moment. “I almost feel like I can’t do it justice,” she said. To me it was just sheer elation, and I think you just feel an overwhelming sense of emotion all at once.”
Francis described life since the Olympics as “literally a dream come true” and had also appreciated the “amazing” reaction from the Cambridge community.
“I’d say the Olympics brings our town a lot of pride and I’ve definitely felt that through the responses and the congratulations,” she said.
“A few of the local cafés have brought us out coffees that said ‘gold’ on them… people have just been so lovely and really kind.”
Brooke Francis (left) and Lucy Spoors on their way to winning gold in the women’s double sculls final at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Photosport.
Both women are now taking a break while they decide whether to continue rowing.
“I guess with how big the past couple of years have been, I’m just looking forward to some downtime until the end of the year, and just being able to spend more time with (daughter) Keira, and life not being so hectic,” Francis said.
Spoors said she would make a decision after having “a proper rest”.
“I’m sitting here feeling pretty inspired still, so I’ll take a break and see what happens,” she said.
Readers keen to see more of Francis and Spoors can check out a video series they created, ‘Mums in the Boat’, which features on Schick Civil Construction’s Facebook page.
The women are looking forward to working with the company over the next few months through its sponsorship of Waikato rowing clubs and school programmes.
“One of the things I’m proud of is that when you win a medal, you’re winning it for your country, and I’m looking forward to sharing our experience,” Francis said.
Towers of strength – Olympic rowing champions Brooke Francis (left) and Lucy Spoors with their gold medals in Paris.
