HODGKINS BYRNE Mathilda

General
BALANCING STUDY AND SPORT
In mid-2019 she completed a degree in chemistry at the University of Reading in England, having also represented the university in rowing. She said it was not easy balancing her studies with sport, and after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo she hopes to complete a PhD and pursue a career in forensics. "I don't think there are any other universities that support athletes like Reading has. I'm very aware of how lucky I have been. It's been great to do my degree as I think it helps me to balance more. It brings perspective. I know I'm working towards another job, which enables me to take the pressure off and perform better [in rowing]. I don't think, 'Do this, or you have nothing'." (sites.reading.ac.uk, 01 Sep 2019)

RIO HEARTACHE
She was a reserve for the quad boat at the final Olympic Qualification Regatta in 2016 in Lucerne, Switzerland. She participated in the single sculls at the event, and was not called up for the quad. Both boats failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, an experience she is keen to avoid in the future. "We never, ever want to go to Olympic qualifiers again. That experience is something I wouldn't wish upon anyone. It's not like a normal race, where people are upset they haven't got the medal. You can genuinely see their career is over. Like everything they put into it, they now don't have. They're completely helpless, completely broken. I've never been in a boat park where people are genuinely distraught, and crying under the boats." (independent.co.uk, 20 Mar 2018; britishrowing.com, 01 Jan 2018)

CAREFREE APPETITE
She says she does not pay much attention to what she eats outside of competitions. "I don't actually monitor what I eat. I'm probably one of the worst in the squad for that. Some girls weigh everything. I look at normal people, the amount they eat, and I don't know how they live off that." (independent.co.uk, 20 Mar 2018; meridianfoods.co.uk, 27 Jun 2018)