Paralympian from Oxfordshire hopes to inspire next generation after winning gold
The Paralympic rower from Wallingford has helped Team GB extend the longest winning streak in British sport
Last updated 7th Sep 2024
Frankie Allen who’s from Wallingford and studies at Oxford Brookes University won gold in the mixed coxed four rowing at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Ms Allen, 22, is a three-time World champion and three-time European champion in the mixed coxed four. And now, she can say that she is a Paralympic gold medallist.
After winning that first Paralympic gold medal, she hopes to inspire the next generation of athletes and helping children with disabilities into sport.
She said: “When we were training up until the Paralympics I was thinking ‘what impact do I want to have to other people’, because it’s crazy how we do this every day and how many people watch it. So, you do just want to inspire someone.
If there was just one child sat at home watching the race and it’s inspired them to get into the sport, that’s the main goal. Especially getting kids with disabilities into sport.”
Frankie has been training at Oxford Brookes University alongside studying for her Physiotherapy degree.
It was during her time at Brookes where she found that her disability, Erb’s palsy, was classifiable for Paralympic rowing.
She’s been telling us how training at Brookes has been, she said: “It was just amazing when I first joined to be training amongst such a talented group of girls, and I think that is how they just get better and better as everyone is constantly pushing themselves.”
Frankie has been part of Team GB’s longest winning streak in British sport, as the mixed coxed four have won gold and been unbeaten over the last 14 years.
Frankie tells us what it was like when she first joined the team, she said: “I was aware of their legacy, and it was quite intimidating.
“I think the reason why the fours are so successful is that there is constantly overlap. There are people with the experience and then there’s new people coming into the team bringing new ideas and a range of ability.
“I obviously felt the pressure of racing, but they don’t let the winning streak get to them which is really cool as everyone thrives off it and we are pushing each other.”