Team GB rower Imogen Grant, who became an Olympic Champion at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been named among the winners of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Climate Action Awards 2024.
Imogen won gold in the lightweight women’s double sculls with teammate Emily Craig at Paris 2024, before starting her first job as a doctor just three days after the Closing Ceremony. Her latest accolade has been awarded by the IOC in recognition of her efforts to help address climate change and make the world of sport more sustainable.
One of just two athletes to receive the award this year – the other being Bulgarian beach volleyball player Lina Taylor – Imogen has been honoured for her role in the launch of the Clean Water Sport Alliance to improve river health and water quality. She has also been instrumental in introducing new measures to help British Rowing’s National Training Centre in Caversham operate more sustainably, including composting of food waste, the recycling of plastic waste and the regular testing of water quality. As an ambassador for the Rivers Trust, Imogen has contributed to over 2,400 river surveys and inspired people to participate in water-testing campaigns and initiatives, as well as speaking at a number of events across the UK to raise awareness and educate athletes on sustainability.
Imogen said: “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.”
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “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.”
In 2022, Team GB signed up to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework, making a commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and to reduce emissions by half by 2030.
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.