Katherine Grainger

Sport: Rowing

Nation: Great Britain

DOB: November 12, 1975

Hometown: Maidenhead

Career Highlights: Great Britain’s most successful female rower in Olympic history, Katherine Grainger has her sights set on a gold in London to end an illustrious career. Grainger began her career in 1997 and picked up Olympic Silver in the quad at her first games in 2000. Alongside Cath Bishop she claimed World Championship gold in the coxless pairs at Milan in 2003, beating dominant pair Romania to the title - only to lose out to the same two in the 2004 Olympics. Awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to sport, Grainger returned to the squad, winning World Championship gold in 2007 but finishing second to China in Beijing having led for the majority of the race. Grainger and Anna Watkins won gold in the double scull at the 2010 World Championships and were named female crew of the year, and the pair successfully defended their title in 2011 - leading the race from start to finish. A World Cup series win in 2011 cemented the pair’s status as the favourites for gold in London, although Australia and Poland will provide strong competition.

Olympic History: 2008,2004,2000