Hyde and Cremen take gold at World Rowing Championships

Ireland's Zoe Hyde and Margaret Cremen took the gold in the women's double sculls final at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam on Friday evening. The pair had already secured a semi-final victory on Wednesday, setting the stage for their podium appearance. Their exceptional performance throughout the week had Ireland and their fans anticipating a medal win, and they delivered on that expectation.

The duo started in lane one, slightly behind the Dutch crew after the first 500 meters. The Netherlands increased their speed around the 1000-meter mark, with Switzerland in third place. Hyde and Cremen responded, reclaiming the lead and powering ahead in the final 300 meters. The emotional win was marked by U2's "Beautiful Day" playing over the loudspeakers in celebration.

Cremen expressed her disbelief and gratitude, stating that the pair had worked hard all winter and that every session counted. Hyde echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the strong partnership and the undeniable belief in each other that fueled their success.