PETERLEE rower Lauren Irwin has won an Olympic bronze medal as part of the women's eight in Paris.
Irwin, who started her rowing career with Chester-le-Street Rowing Club and continued with the sport during her time at Durham University, was part of a British crew that finished in third position behind new Olympic champions Romania and silver medallists Canada.
The crew of Irwin, Annie Campbell-Orde, Holly Dunford, Emily Ford, Heidi Long, Rowan McKellar, Eve Stewart and Hattie Taylor posted a time of five minutes 59.51 seconds.
World champions Romania forced the pace from the start and never looked like being caught.
Britain tried to put the squeeze on Canada in the final 250m, but finished 0.67secs down on the previous Olympic champions.
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