Scott targets Olympic gold again in Los Angeles

Olympic champion Hannah Scott has confirmed she intends to go for gold again in Los Angeles in three years time.

The 25-year-old won a dramatic quad sculls final in Paris alongside Team GB team-mates Georgie Brayshaw, Lola Anderson and Lauren Henry, coming from behind to edge the Netherlands on the very final stroke.

"The plan is to go for LA but take one day at a time, one step forward at a time," the Northern Ireland woman exclusively told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm very process driven, so I don't like to think too far ahead but I'm excited by the prospect.

"I'm in my 20s and I thought I could still do another Games when I'm in my 20s and if I didn't, I feel like I would regret not doing that."

Scott has been enjoying time away from the water since winning Olympic gold, receiving a number of accolades including an MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

The Coleraine rower won European and world titles in the build-up to the Games last summer but admitted that nothing could have prepared her for the enormity of her success in Paris.

"I don't think I quite understood the immensity of winning an Olympic gold and what it meant," Scott continued.

"When I was out in Paris, I obviously had my friends and family, and all of my support there, and that was so special to me but then coming back home again, I did not expect the support and reception that I got, and that's the bit that took me a bit by surprise.

"For all this time, it's been my dream and my goal and I've been working towards it myself with my family around me and my friends.

"Then to feel like the whole of Northern Ireland come up and basically say well done afterwards, it was huge and really special."

Financial support makes dream possible

Becoming an Olympic champion does not always bring with it financial rewards, which is one of the many factors Scott had to consider before making this decision.

While Scott benefited from National Lottery funding that allowed her to train with GB Rowing as a full-time athlete in the build-up to Paris, in order to continue she has had to seek out sponsorship with two local companies coming on board to support her.

"When you're a professional athlete, people think you've got the fast cars and you're driving around with all the jewellery and the money. But for me, no, it's quite the opposite.

"I think running into Paris, I was basically just making ends meet. I was grateful to be on the National Lottery funding, but that doesn't go very far in the south of England.

"It was hindering what I wanted to do with my performance when you're thinking about finances the whole time.

"Now looking towards LA, I definitely have felt the support of Northern Ireland again, and people wanting to reach out and support me with my journey forward and I feel very grateful. I feel like I can make a life out of this for four years."

All roads point to USA for local Olympic champions

Scott returned to training in January and is open to what 2025 will bring.

With Great Britain trials not until April and the World Championships in Shanghai in September there is plenty of time to worry about which boat she ends up in, subject to selection.

"To be someone from Northern Ireland and a woman from Northern Ireland, if I could come back with two medals at some point in my future, gosh, everything has to go right, to even say that, but it would be a really cool feat and it's something that I think is a new challenge.

"To do that and pave the way for a Northern Irish woman, I think would be really special."

One of four Olympians from Northern Ireland to win a gold medal last summer, Scott joins the other three - swimmers Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillan and gymnast Rhys McClenaghan - in confirming their Olympic journeys are continuing, an exciting prospect for local sports fans.

"We'll see in the future how the four of us go, but for Northern Ireland, it's great," added Scott.

"I'm so proud to be from here and that's why another reason why I want to do it again."