As a teenager in 2012, Lola Anderson was inspired by the London games – so much so that she wrote in her diary it was her “biggest dream in life” to row in the Olympics and possibly win gold.

But the British girl then threw the note in the bin as she “didn’t believe” it would happen.

Unbeknown to the child, her father Don kept the piece of paper in a safety security box, and passed it to her in 2019 when he was being treated in hospital.

Two months later, he died of cancer.

The Team GB rower, 26, has now claimed Olympic gold and tearfully reflected on the treasured diary entry following her triumph on the water at the Paris games.

Anderson, from Richmond, was part of the winning team in the women’s quadruple sculls – pipping the Netherlands in a photo finish in the final 250m.

The quartet of Anderson, Georgie Brayshaw, Lauren Henry and Hannah Scott became world champions last year and are now also Olympic champions.

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Helen Glover and Heather Stanning’s victory in the women’s pairs in 2012 inspired the then-teenager to pursue her Olympic dream.

In her diary entry, Anderson wrote: “My name is Lola Anderson and 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.”

Anderson said her dad “saw the potential I had, but my potential wouldn’t have been unlocked without the girls that crossed the line with me today”.

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Her dad rowed at university and her diary entry is one of Anderson’s most treasured possessions, perhaps now rivalled only by her gold medal.

“I always get a bit nervous taking it anywhere with me,” she said.

“What happens if a suitcase gets lost, or something like that?”

“It’s a piece of paper but it’s the most valuable thing I have, maybe joint with this now. It’s safe in a tin with all my dad’s old medals.”

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Anderson said she could not wait to show her medal to her own children one day.

“Given that this journey started with my dad and my family, I can’t wait to show this medal to my children some day and inspire them to take a path,” she added.

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