Rower Katherine Grainger has become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, after winning a silver medal in the women’s double sculls race.
Grainger collected her fifth Olympic medal, alongside her partner Victoria Thornley, after completing the race in a time of 7:05:32, coming in second place.
Grainger’s latest win adds to the gold medal she received in the 2012 London Olympics, and the three silver medals she was awarded in 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Her latest victory in Rio sees Grainger overtaking swimmer, Rebecca Adlington. Adlington previously held the title of most decorated female athlete who has won four medals.
Alongside her Olympic wins, Grainger is also a six-time World Champion. Aside from rowing, Grainger has also earned five degrees, including a bachelor’s degree in Law from Edinburgh University, a master’s degree in Medical Law from Glasgow University, and a PhD in Homicide from King’s College London.
In 2013, Grainger was awarded a PhD in Law from King’s College London and subsequently made a fellow.
In 2006, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and in 2013 she was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Recently, Grainger was also appointed as the fourth Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University.
Speaking to ITV News following her win, Grainger said, “I’m so lucky. I do what I love. I love this sport. I fell into it at university. I made the best friends through it. I’ve loved being a part of Team GB every single time. It’s something I’m immensely proud of.”
