Born: 1985 (Yeovil, Somerset, England)
Biography:
Heather Mary Stanning OBE (born 26 January 1985) is a retired British professional rower and Royal Artillery officer. She is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished rowers of her generation, having achieved numerous accolades and records during her career.
Born in Yeovil, Somerset, England, Stanning grew up in a military family, with both her parents, Timothy and Mary, serving as Royal Navy officers. She exhibited a natural talent for sports from an early age and was appointed head girl in her final year at Gordonstoun, Scotland. In her school yearbook, it had been predicted that she would one day win an Olympic gold medal, a prediction that would soon come true.
Stanning’s journey in rowing began in 2006 when she joined the Team GB Start Programme. She quickly excelled in the sport, earning a British Army scholarship while studying sports technology at the University of Bath. In 2007, she graduated from the university before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, alongside her brother Martin, who joined the Black Watch.
Commissioned into the Royal Artillery in August 2008, Stanning was based at Larkhill Garrison on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. Holding the rank of Captain, she served in the 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery. Despite her commitment to the military, Stanning was granted special dispensation to pursue her Olympic career with the British rowing team.
Stanning’s partnership with rower Helen Glover proved to be immensely successful. Paired together, they achieved unparalleled success in the women’s coxless pairs. In 2012, they won an Olympic gold medal at the London Summer Olympics, marking both their country’s first gold medal of the Olympiad and the first-ever British Olympic gold in women’s rowing.
The duo continued to dominate the sport, setting a world record time at the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam and defending their world title at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Lac d’Aiguebelette, France. In 2016, they retained their European title at Brandenburg an der Havel, set a World Rowing Cup record time in Poznan, and clinched another Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.
Stanning’s accomplishments extend beyond the Olympic Games. She is a double World champion, a quadruple World Cup champion, and a double European champion. In 2016, she was ranked as the number one female rower in the world.
Outside of rowing, Stanning’s contributions have been recognized and honored. In September 2016, she was granted the freedom of the Scottish region of Moray as a tribute to her outstanding achievements in the sport.
After a stellar career, Stanning announced her retirement from rowing in November 2016. Her dedication, perseverance, and passion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the world of rowing and have inspired countless athletes.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medal (2012, 2016)
– World Champion (2013, 2014)
– World Cup Champion (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
– European Champion (2013, 2016)
– Freedom of the Scottish region of Moray (2016)