The 2023 World Rowing Championships began yesterday in Belgrade, Serbia and run from September 3rd to September 10th. This is the first opportunity for the Irish rowers to gain quota spots for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Katie O’ Brien and Steven McGowan will begin their qualification campaign for Paris tomorrow, Tuesday, when they take to the water in the Para Mixed Double Scull heat at 9:30am. In 2022, Katie and Steven raced in this event finishing in 5th place. They will need an A final top 6 finish to qualify the boat for the 2024 Paralympics.
Katie, from Clarinbridge in Galway is the current World Champion in the Women’s PR2 Scull as well as holding the world record both on the water and on the rowing machine. She also won bronze in the single at the 2019 World Championships.
Roscommon man Steven took up rowing less than two years ago to join Katie in the mixed double in the hopes to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics. They are both now fully based in Cork training at the National Rowing Centre.
All races will be live streamed on the World Rowing website HERE.
Katie and Stephen’s Path to Paris:
Tuesday 5th Sept: 9:30am – Heat
Wednesday 6th Sept: 9:30am – Repechage
Thursday 7th Sept: 8:35 – 8:45am – A/B Semi
Saturday 9th Sept: 9:50am – B Final
Saturday 9th Sept: 12:05pm – A Final
