One of Australia’s finest rowers, Olympian Maddie Edmunds, has taken an indefinite break

One of Australia’s finest rowers, Olympian Maddie Edmunds, has taken an indefinite break from the sport. Edmunds, 27, said she had lost her enjoyment of the sport but had not closed the door on returning to rowing.

One of Australia’s finest rowers, Olympian Maddie Edmunds, has taken an indefinite break from the sport.

Edmunds, 27, said she had lost her enjoyment of rowing but had not closed the door on returning.

“When I met with staff from Rowing Australia they said they were very keen to give me time away and support me in coming back if I wish.’’ Edmunds said.

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Edmunds, who was joined on the Australian senior team by her sister Jacinta last year, said it would be her first break from the sport since starting rowing at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School as a 13-year-old.

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“It is time for me to think about what else I might do if I don’t resume rowing,’’ Commercial Rowing Club athlete said.

The Maddie Edmunds sign within the Commercial Rowing Club at West End

Edmunds made her first Australian team as a 16-year-old when she represented her country at the world junior championships, and has been a fixture around Australian rowing teams since.

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In 2016 she followed in the footsteps of her father, 1984 Olympic bronze medallist Ian, by making the Rio Olympic team.

Last year was a memorable one for Edmunds, who was joined on World Cup teams by her sister Jacinta, who also qualified to represent Australia at the world championships.

“Last year was a good year for me,’’ the Payne Road State School past student said.

But Edmunds said she had been contemplating a break for the last six months.