Paralympic rower winds down after gold medal win

The Worcester rower took first place in a mixed coxed fours team

Paralympian Giedre Rakauskaite is excited to wind down and just be "part of the crowd" after winning gold in Paris.

The rower, from Worcestershire, told the BBC that after working towards the Games for three years, she was now looking forward to watching and supporting teammates from the sidelines.

She took first place in a mixed coxed fours team, beating Great Britain's own world record with a time of six minutes and 55.3 seconds.

Worcestershire's prowess in the sport does not end there, with Lauren Rowles from Bromsgrove also taking top spot in the double sculls, becoming the first British rower to win three Paralympic golds.

Speaking to BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester, Ms Rakauskaite said she was feeling "absolutely tired".

She said: "I've had so many commitments since winning the gold medal I've barely had any time to see my friends and family.

"I was speaking to my teammates over breakfast and we feel really weird.

"We've been working towards this for three years and we were just sat there eating breakfast with gold medals on our necks like 'wow - we've done it now'."

She explained she would remain in Paris for the week and enjoy the other races.

"We're still living in the [athletes' village] so I'll be going to the other races and [will be] supporting us in athletics and swimming.

"I'm really excited to actually be part of the crowd now..."