Student Frankie Allen to make Paralympics debut in Great Britain rowing squad

An Oxford Brookes University student has been selected to row for Great Britain in this year's Paralympic Games.

Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (OBUBC) member Frankie Allen will be making her Paralympics debut, as part of the ParalympicsGB rowing squad of ten athletes selected for the upcoming games. 

Physiotherapy student Frankie, who is from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, has been selected to row in the ‘Mixed Coxed Four’, along with two Tokyo Olympics gold medallists, Giedre Rakaskaite, and coxswain Erin Kennedy. ParalympicsGB’s squad of five women and five men will be competing in four different boat categories. 

Following her selection, Frankie, who is 22, said: “After all the hard work and long hours training, earning selection for the Paralympic Games is a dream come true.

“I’d like to express how grateful I am to the Physiotherapy Department at Oxford Brookes for the support and flexibility they have given me in juggling my time between rowing aspirations and study commitments.

“The coaching and support I have received from OBUBC has been invaluable in my journey to Paralympic Games selection. The elite level training that I have experienced at OBUBC has hugely helped in making the transition into training with the GB Para team, and has helped me to build a great level of resilience and motivation.”

The Paralympic Games take place from 28 August to 8 September, with the rowing events happening over three days at the Vaires-sur-Marne nautical Stadium in eastern Paris.

Frankie and her crew mates will take to the water for the first time on 30 August for the heats. Then if successful, the finals will be held on 1 September.


The ‘Mixed Four’ crew competing at the Paralympic Games. (from left to right) Giedre Rakauskaite, Ed Fuller, Erin Kennedy (cox), Josh O’Brien, Frankie Allen. Image credited to Benedict Tufnell for British Rowing.


Alongside her rowing commitments at Oxford Brookes, Frankie has been studying Physiotherapy since 2020. 

Shortly after starting her studies, she trialled for GB Para Rowing Team, and alongside her Paralympic team mate, Giedre Rakaskaite, became the first woman in sports history to win two World Championship titles in one regatta. Frankie and Giedre became double World Champions in the Mixed Fours and PR3 Women’s Pair at the World Rowing Championships of 2022, while also breaking a world record in the Mixed Four race. 

Then in 2023, Frankie was again part of the Mixed Four crew with Giedre, and they broke their own world record at the World Rowing Cup II 2023, and also defended their World Rowing Championship title from 2022. 

Richard Spratley, Director of Rowing at OBUBC, said of Frankie’s selection: “It has been a joy to coach Frankie and watch her grow into a world class rower. We are very lucky to have her at our university rowing club. 

“To now see Frankie achieve selection for the GB Para Rowing Team is something we are immensely proud of, but not surprised to see given her talent, fantastic work ethic, and determination to succeed. We will all be watching with great pride when she takes to the water in Paris.”