It has been three years since we saw Team GB win Olympic gold in Rio. The event was one of the most-watched spectacles in the entire competition, but that success has been quickly followed by lots of disappointment.
The reigning Olympic champions were almost handed the most unlikely disappointment of missing out on the summer spectacle all together, as they needed a playoff against Chile to qualify. They were able to get the job done on that occasion and therefore ensured that they wouldn’t miss out on the competition like they did in 2004.
They finished eighth in the FIH Pro League, which was second from bottom in the standings. England failed to win a medal in the most recent European Championships for the first time in 16 years, and with many of the squad from Rio now retired, it has been an uncertain process for the remaining members of the squad. But, what have the Olympic champions been up to since their memorable success?
Sam Quek
The most famous of all the players since the success has been Sam Quek. She has become a mainstay on various television shows as she quickly took advantage of the increased media attention on the sport. After announcing her retirement, she was quickly back on the screens in the smash-hit programme ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’.
She achieved great success on the show, as she finished in fourth place and managed to last 22 days in the jungle. Her success on that show opened a lot of doors for her, and she became a regular panellist on Play to the Whistle. Her newfound fame ensured that she could pursue other sporting interests as she presented ‘The NFL Show’, which talks about America’s line NFL odds.
She also hosted ‘The Premier League Show’ and has been the host of BBC 606 since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
Maddie Hinch
The star of the show in the Olympic final was Maddie Hinch, as she made four saves in the shootout success against The Netherlands. Her performances were the ultimate reason why Team GB was able to celebrate Olympic gold, and during the run to the final, she also made her 100th appearance.
She quickly became a household name in the UK as the final was watched by over nine million people, and she was trending on Twitter for days after the event. Since the win, she has continued to play for club sides such as Leicester and Holcombe. But, she stepped back from international duty in the summer of 2018. She stated that she was just taking a break, and she eventually returned to the international programme in May 2019. She played an important role in the country, making it to the Olympics.
Hollie Webb
The woman that will be forever remembered for scoring the winning goal and securing a first Olympic gold medal for Team GB has continued to be a vital member of the team. She is the captain of Team GB and continues to play her club hockey for Surbiton in the Investec Women’s Hockey League.
She has played for England for six years and also won the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Her achievements saw her nominated for numerous awards in the aftermath of the Olympic win, but none were as prestigious at the MBE that she received in the 2017 New Year Honours list.
She was also granted the freedom of Amber Valley in 2017 and will continue to be a vital component of the team for the Olympics in Tokyo.
This is a third party article and not part of The Hockey Paper’s editorial.
