Harness Talent Athlete

Francesca Jus-Burke - World Medallist - Rowing

"If not you, who? If not now, when?"

Biography:

At school Francesca was a sporty student trying her hand amongst others at cross-country running, athletics, netball and football. She was discovered by the ARA's Project Oarsome in 2000 after a school assembly on rowing persuaded her to try the sport.

She made the Junior GB squad at 16, and from then on regularly represented Great Britain on an international level. In 2004 she was selected to represent GB at the World Junior Championships as part of a coxless four and came 6th. In 2005 Francesca represented Great Britain at the same competition, as part of a women's quadruple scull this time achieving a Bronze medal. This was the first Great Britain women's quadruple scull to ever win a medal at a World Junior Championship, and also the first sculling boat to medal since 2001. In 2006 she was selected for the womens quadruple scull for the World Under 23 Championships 18 days before the competition and attained a photo-finish Silver medal. 2007 saw Franki competing again at the U23 Worlds where she achieved a Bronze medal.

Francesca took early retirement as a result of a back injury in early 2008, but has now returned her rowing and has her sights firmly set on an Olympic medal in 2012.

Click here to see her Competitive History

Click here to see how Francesca and DKH Legacy Trust are working together, and to find out about Franki's 'giving back to sport' activities