Imogen Grant isn’t just a gold-medal-winning rower, she’s also becoming a champion for our planet.
Fresh off her Paris 2024 victory in the lightweight women’s double sculls with teammate Emily Craig, Grant has been recognised with the prestigious IOC Climate Action Award for 2024.
And if you think this is a case of “win gold, get an award, call it a day”—you’d be wrong. Three days after that closing ceremony, she swapped her oar for a stethoscope, kicking off her new career as a doctor. Talk about multitasking.
This award isn’t just about her gold medal though. Grant earned it by turning her sporting success into a platform to fight for something much bigger: the environment.
She’s been pushing for greener practices in sports, and frankly, it’s the kind of work that makes you wonder if she ever sleeps.
Cleaning Up the Waterways
One of the standout reasons for Imogen’s award is her leading role in the Clean Water Sport Alliance.
This initiative is all about improving river health and water quality—a cause pretty close to her heart, considering how many hours she’s spent rowing across the UK’s waterways.
She’s not just talking the talk either; she’s making real changes at British Rowing’s National Training Centre in Caversham.
From composting food waste to recycling plastic and regular water testing, she’s helped make sure the place is running more sustainably. It’s like she’s leading a mini eco-revolution—one rowing centre at a time.
But Grant’s passion goes beyond her own sport. As an ambassador for the Rivers Trust, she’s personally involved in more than 2,400 river surveys.
Yes, you read that right—2,400. She’s out there inspiring people to get involved in water-testing campaigns and speaking at events to raise awareness about sustainability.
When she’s not in a boat or a hospital, she’s somewhere talking about the health of our rivers. It’s clear she’s committed to cleaning up more than just the competition.
Imogen’s Message to the World
In her own words, Grant says: “Sport is such a team effort, and so is sustainability. I am so grateful to the amazing people and organisations who have helped me speak up and use my athlete’s voice for more than just sport. I hope to continue inspiring others to take action, both on and off the field of play.”
You’ve got to love that sentiment. She’s not just here to collect trophies or titles—she wants to inspire real change, showing athletes everywhere that they have a unique platform to do something important.
She’s proof that you can be more than just a competitor; you can be a force for good, too.
IOC’s Stamp of Approval
IOC President Thomas Bach is all in on this movement, saying: “This year’s winners of the IOC Climate Action Awards show that the Olympic Movement is taking its responsibilities seriously: reducing our impact, while inspiring others to take action.
We congratulate the winners for their innovative and impactful projects that are making the world of sport more sustainable.
We hope these efforts inspire others – in sport and beyond – to join the collective effort to address one of the toughest challenges our world is facing today.” He’s not wrong.
These awards are all about recognising athletes and organisations that are making sports greener and more sustainable.
The hope is that by shining a light on these efforts, more people will get inspired to join the fight against climate change.
Team GB’s Push for a Greener Future
Grant’s efforts come at a time when Team GB is stepping up its game on sustainability. Back in 2022, they signed on to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework, committing to hit net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
Yeah, that’s a big goal, but they’re already chipping away at it by reducing emissions by half by 2030. Their Environmental Sustainability Plan is pretty ambitious, outlining how they plan to tackle climate change head-on.
It’s more than just a buzzword for Team GB. They’re showing that it’s possible to balance elite sports with being mindful of your environmental footprint.
And with athletes like Imogen leading the way, you can bet that more sports organizations will start following suit.
Why It All Matters
Look, sports aren’t just about trophies and medals. They’re also about community, leadership, and—believe it or not—making the world a better place. Imogen Grant is proof of that.
Through her dedication to sustainability, she’s showing that athletes can have a voice in the big issues facing our world today. Whether it’s clean water or climate action, sports can be a massive vehicle for change.
For those who love sports, care about the environment, or just want to see more positive stories in the headlines, Imogen’s story is the kind of inspiration we all need.
It’s a reminder that no matter who you are, you can make a difference. If an Olympic rower can inspire thousands to care about river health while also winning gold and starting a medical career, what’s stopping the rest of us from doing our bit?
Team GB’s Team GB’s Environmental Sustainability Plan outlines the ambitions, priorities and objectives that are guiding the organisation’s ongoing efforts to address climate change.