Age: 27

Hometown: Clarinbridge, Co. Galway

Club: Galway Rowing Club

Disability: Spina bifida

Sport Class: PR2

Katie discovered Para rowing through a Paralympics Ireland come and try sports day after being inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

She started rowing with Galway Rowing Club with the aim of reaching the Paralympics which proved to be a difficult path as she is dependent on a male rowing partner for the PR2 Mixed Sculls. She previously rowed for UCD Rowing Club while studying Veterinary Medicine.

Katie won her first World Championship Medal at the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Linz, securing bronze in the PR2 W1x category. By 2022, Katie had made significant progress, winning gold at the World Rowing Championships and setting a new world record in the PR2 W1x. She was named Irish Times Sportswoman of the Month for September 2022.

In the 2023 World Rowing Championships, Katie placed 5th in the PR2 Mix2x alongside Steven McGowan, qualifying the boat for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The pair also achieved a 5th-place finish at the European Championships that year.

Katie will row with Tiarnán O’ Donnell from Limerick for the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Schedule:

Day 2 – August 30th

PR2 Mixed Double Sculls (heat) 9:30 – 12:50

Day 3 – August 31st

PR2 Mixed Double Sculls (repechage) 9:30 – 11:50

Day 4 – September

PR2 Mixed Double Sculls (final) 8:15 – 13:30

Instagram: @katie_0_brien_