By James Toney in Paris

Big dreams and indescribable heartbreak are the inspiration for rower Lola Anderson in Paris.

Anderson is making her Team GB debut alongside Hannah Scott, Lauren Henry, and Georgie Brayshaw as a member of a top women's quad sculls crew that are already world and European champions.

When Seb Coe painted his bold vision that London 2012 would 'inspire a generation,' Anderson was just the sort of person he envisaged.

New to rowing, she watched Helen Glover and Heather Stanning win gold at Eton Dorney and scribbled in her diary, 'I think it would be my biggest dream in life to go to the Olympics in rowing and if possible win a gold for GB.'

A few weeks passed and embarrassed by her ambition, she ripped the page from the diary and threw it in the bin.

Her father Don rescued it, and seven years later, just a fortnight before he died from cancer, gave it back.

"He had belief in me even when I didn't; I guess that’s what parents have," she said, as the British team went through their final training sessions in Vaires-sur-Marne, 15 miles east of Paris.

"I’d just started rowing when the 2012 Games were on. I was on my way to a training session and just caught the end of Helen and Heather's race.

"I just remember being hit by this huge wave of inspiration - that was the moment I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life - being an Olympian and, maybe, winning that gold medal.

"I forgot about it until my dad gave it to me just a couple of weeks before he passed away. He'd taken it from the bin and held on to it. This moment has been a long time coming, but he was there supporting me from day one.

"About five years ago, when my dad's health started going a bit pear-shaped, I was just enjoying my university rowing at Newcastle.

"But that was the moment I also found my rhythm and thought I could do this if I really put my mind to it."

In the days ahead, plenty of Olympic champions will call their shiny golds their most treasured possession.

"For Anderson - should she achieve her childhood goal - it won't be the most prized thing she owns. That's a crumpled piece of paper with 25 prophetic words.

Anderson is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

Anderson is now the captain of the historic Leander Club in Henley, where Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent plotted, planned, and sweated every detail of their Olympic heroics. Only 26, you can clearly see her leadership potential.

"When you're younger, you look up to these people and imagine them to be these amazing superstars. I find it hard to believe someone is thinking about me like that," she added.

"It's humbling, but I'm just me. It's totally bizarre to think someone might be watching us at home like I did with Helen and Heather.

"I really enjoy helping out young rowers and sharing my knowledge. My most important lesson is telling them it's okay not to be perfect all the time."

Anderson's work ethic has been praised by team coaches, but she remains equally grounded, with meditation, baking, and pottery - in no particular order - her way of venting the stresses of competition.

"I'm quite good at finding my zen moment. I actually find going out for a morning paddle very relaxing. But if I'm really stressed, I put my headphones on and listen to music for an hour or so," she added.

"I'm a big Taylor Swift fan, and Hannah (Scott) and I are going to see her when we get back from the Games.

"I'm very excited, but I need to sort my outfit. We always sing 'Bejeweled,' so something sparkly would be good."

Sparkly, yes, and perhaps gold too?

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport.  To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk