Kara Kohler of the United States competes in the women's rowing single scull final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, July 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Rower Kara Kohler punched her ticket to Paris Sunday in Sarasota. She will represent the United States at the Olympics for the third time in her athletic career (2012, 2020, 2024).
Kohler said the most influential people in her life are her parents, and having her mother here watching over her meant everything.
“They've supported me through all my activities, working out and everything else I've done. And athletes are obviously stuck. The most of them.” said Kohler.
The 2019 U.S. female rowing athlete of the year made her second consecutive Olympic appearance in the event after Sunday's single scull final.
“It never gets old. I just haven't been able to sleep since 2 a.m. thinking about this,” said Kohler's mother, Caryl Kohler.
“I'm so proud of her for knowing how hard she's worked for this and how grueling it is. And this is a great recognition for all the effort she's put in. It’s a great finish,” said Caryl Kohler.
“Just to give this to them. It's always going to be there. It's special. It's simple. It's special. It's been my dream since I was little, so I'm happy to be able to continue doing it. Trust myself.” Trust your path process. You have the skill to look to others for inspiration. I have so many incredibly strong women that I get to train with every day. So from them… Let's learn and build each other up. It's going to be a lot of fun,” Kohler said.
It's been more than 10 years since she last medaled at the Olympics, taking home a bronze medal. But she hopes to change that in Paris.
