Tributes have been flowing from the rowing world for Olympic medallist Sarah Tait, who has lost her battle with cancer.
The Yarraville mother, who took part in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games before clinching silver in 2012, died last Thursday aged 33. She had battled cervical cancer since 2013.
Husband Bill Tait, the Victorian Institute of Sport head rowing coach, said the family is grateful for the support being shown through a difficult time.
“The families are enormously proud of the positive impact Sarah has made on so many throughout her life.”
Ms Tait’s remarkable career won her gold and silver in the 2005 world rowing championships, followed by bronze in 2011. She captained the Australian women’s rowing team for Beijing (2008) and London (2012) Olympics.
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said Ms Tait pioneered a family- friendly policy allowing children to be reunited with their athlete mothers during training and competition.
“The legacy she leaves for younger women who would like to pursue both motherhood and elite sport is truly inspirational,” he said.
Ms Tait is survived by husband Bill and children Leila and Luca.
A public memorial service will be held in the Pioneer Women’s Garden in the Domain at noon on Thursday.
