- Kelsey and Erin Reelick are both competitive rowers from Connecticut
- But this summer, there was only room for one of them on the U.S. rowing team
One sister made the ultimate sacrifice so her sibling could go to the Paris Olympics with the U.S. rowing team.
Kelsey and Erin Reelick both hoped to make the selection this summer and were set to compete for the final spot at selection camp until Erin withdrew.
Neither sister has ever competed in the Olympics. After Kelsey competed in the last two world championships (while Erin had been out of the sport for over two years), she felt her sister deserved it more.
“I still think it’s the right decision,” Erin said CT insider. “I’m so happy for her. I think it’s a dream that we both had. I think at the end of the day, our parents get to come and watch and support one of us, and I think that’s incredible and that’s what I’m happy about.
Erin also reportedly told Kelsey, “You’ve been at this longer than I have. You should take this and win a competition. [damn] medal.’
The Reelick sisters are described as very close and have competed together at Princeton
Kelsey (left) poses with her teammates in Paris ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games.
The sisters (Kelsey is 32 and Erin is 30) are described as incredibly close and went through junior college together, later winning Ivy League championships for Princeton in college.
Kelsey took a three-year break after college, while Erin eventually competed in the 2018 and 2019 World Championships.
Kelsey is the one going to Paris and she clearly has mixed feelings about it.
“It was really hard and it’s still hard to be super happy and excited that I’m going to the Olympics and at the same time be sad that my amazing sister, who is so deserving, isn’t going to the Olympics,” Kelsey said.
Erin (right) is seen competing for the United States in the 2019 World Rowing Cup
She added: “Every now and then I think about how I got here and I feel regret and sadness, and I think that will always be in my mind,” Kelsey said. “It will always be kind of an asterisk next to this experience for me.”
Erin added that she sometimes feels “guilty” for the “devastation”[ing’ the experience for Kelsey and their parents.
Erin will not be attending the Olympics.
Women’s rowing events will begin on July 27.