Lauren Wilkinson

Biography

Hailing from a rowing family, Lauren Wilkinson won silver in her Olympic debut at London 2012 as a member of the Canadian women’s eight. The experience was extra special as her older brother Michael was also a member of the Olympic rowing team. Wilkinson was named to the Olympic team after having been an alternate for the 2011 World Championships. She went on to compete with the eight at the 2014 and 2015 World Championships, winning silver and bronze, respectively. In her second Olympic appearance, Wilkinson and the eight advanced to the A final, finishing fifth at Rio 2016. Wilkinson first competed internationally with Canada at the junior world championships in 2006 and 2007. She joined the U23 national team in 2009 and went on to win the world U23 title with the eight in 2011 after taking bronze in 2010. One of Wilkinson’s greatest career highlights was winning the NCAA title with the Princeton varsity eight in her senior year in 2011.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents David and Susan Wilkinson were both national team rowers… Older brother Jerome rowed at the collegiate and provincial level… Older brother Michael rowed at London 2012 as a member of the four… Getting into the Sport: Followed her brothers into rowing at age 11… Outside Interests: Enjoys photography, reading and building do-it-yourself projects… In the off-season enjoys cross-country skiing, scuba diving, hiking and camping in the mountains… Graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology… Pursuing her Master’s in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia… Would like to complete a joint veterinary-PhD program after rowing as part of her interest in the ecology, evolution and epidemiology of infectious disease; in addition to research would practice veterinary medicine… Odds and Ends: Nickname: Wilkie… Favourite motto: A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are made for…