Lucy chasing a 30-year legacy at Paris

It’s more than 16,000km from the Wimmera to Paris, but that exact journey is the result of years of training for Olympic gold medallist rower Lucy Stephan.

It’s more than 16,000km from the Wimmera to Paris, but that exact journey is the result of years of training for Olympic gold medallist rower Lucy Stephan.

Growing up on a cropping farm ten minutes out of Nhill, the 32-year-old will next week compete at her third successive Olympic Games, and while she knows she has fans aplenty back home, it hasn’t always been easy to receive the support.

“It’s so special, but it does add a little bit more pressure because you want to make them proud,” Lucy said.

“I remember in the lead up to Tokyo, Dad sending me photos of support from all around the town, but I actually had to ask him to stop because I felt like if I didn’t perform I’d be letting all of Nhill down.”

Her dad Gus agreed to “put a pin in it” but told her she needn’t worry because she would win anyway. That belief was justified, with Lucy winning gold in the women’s four.

Lucy is now aiming to repeat the spectacular feat at Paris – this time in the women’s eight, an event that Australia has never medalled in.

“For whatever reason (a medal in this event) has never been on the cards for us … but I look back at the women that have represented Australia since the 1980s and am wanting to stand on their shoulders, and be part of that legacy we’ve been building for 30 years,” she said.

Lucy’s contribution and service to the sport was duly recognised with an Order of Australia medal in 2022, an achievement she can now share with her mother Mandy, who was also awarded an OAM in 2023, for services to nursing in regional Australia.

“To have someone like (my mum) in your community, that’s what small country towns need. They need people like Mandy Stephan who care and know that regional people deserve just as equal service as people in metro areas.”