Jean Mitchell - Rowing to Recovery

Twenty four year old Jean Mitchell will make her Olympic debut in Paris in a few weeks time. It will be a dream come true for Mitchell, but something that a few years ago, seemed so far out of reach…

Born and raised in Melbourne Australia, Jean took up the sport of rowing at Ruyton Girls’ School. It was evident very quickly that she was a very talented rower and, having been undefeated in Australia, she travelled to compete at Henley Royal Regatta where she raced in the Junior Women’s Quad event.

Soon after her return from Henley, her world started to turn upside down. Jean began experiencing throbbing in the back of her and progressively more symptoms emerged. After many months, and many doctors, finally, an MRI discovered a tumour in the back of her brain. “It’s just the biggest shock, and it’s not the news that you think you’re going to hear in your lifetime, especially at 16″, she said.

Over the next two years Jean was forced to pause her rowing and academic endeavours, going through several rounds of chemotherapy. “Chemotherapy does live up to its name. At the time, I couldn’t even say the word without bursting into tears” said Mitchell, reflecting on what she had been through.

Inside the final part of her chemotherapy, Jean returned to rowing, but it was clear just how much the treatment had taken a toll on her and she was forced to start from scratch to rebuild her strength and fitness. Eventually Jean was able to return to consistent training with Melbourne University Boat Club and, by 2022, she was selected to represent Australia. She raced in the women’s eight at World Rowing Cup II and the World Rowing Championships, where she finished fifth.

She missed out on international selection in 2023 but continued to win domestic regattas including the open coxless four with Melbourne University at the Australian Rowing Championships. She was back on the international season earlier this year, racing at World Rowing Cup II in the women’s four and then in both the four and the eight at World Rowing Cup III, claiming silver in both.

Soon after World Rowing Cup III, on 30 June,  it was official, Jean had been selected as part of the Australian Olympic Rowing Team. She was going to Paris as one of the “Rowsellas“! Speaking on her selection, Jean said “I’m struggling to put into words how much this means to me and how grateful I am to the village of people who helped me get here. To my friends and family, who have been there to support me through my cancer journey and the highs and lows of this sport, I love you so much.”

The determination shown by Jean is a true inspiration to so many people as she demonstrated incredible fighting spirit to return to competitive rowing and forge a place for herself on the Australian rowing team. She has dreamed of the Olympics since being at kindergarten and in just a couple of weeks, that dream will come true in Vaires-sur-Marne, Paris.

“Having been so close to death and then having this moment I think I really have to soak it in and enjoy it for what it is,” Mitchell said. “I can’t wait to see how it all goes.”