Sister makes ultimate sacrifice so her sibling can make it to Paris with the US Olympic team

One sister made the ultimate sacrifice so that her sibling could go to the Paris Olympics with the USA rowing team.

Kelsey and Erin Reelick both hoped to be part of the squad this summer, and were set to compete for the final spot in selection camp - before Erin pulled out.

Neither of the sisters have ever gone to the Olympics, though after Kelsey participated in the last two world championships - while Erin spent more than two years away from the sport - the latter felt that her sibling was more deserving.

'I still think it's the right decision,' Erin told CT Insider. 'I'm so excited for her. I think it's a dream we both had. I think at the end of the day our parents get to go and view and support one of us, and I think that's incredible and that's what I'm happy about.

Erin reportedly also told Kelsey: 'You've been working at this for more years than I have. You should take this and go win a [damn] medal.'

The Reelick sisters are described as being very close, and competed together at Princeton

Kelsey (left) is seen posing with her teammates in Paris ahead of this summer's Olympics

The sisters (Kelsey is 32, and Erin is 30) are described as being incredibly close and came through the youth ranks together, later winning Ivy League championships at Princeton in college.

Kelsey then took a three-year break from the sport after college, while Erin eventually participated in the 2018 and 2019 world championships.

It's Kelsey, though, that will be going to Paris, and she clearly has mixed feelings about that.

'It was very hard and is still hard to be super-happy and excited about me going to the Olympics with the heartbreak that is my very deserving and wonderful sister not going to the Olympics,' Kelsey said.

Erin (right) is seen competing in the World Rowing Cup for the United States in 2019

She added, 'Every once in a while I'll think about how I got here and I'll feel regret and I'll feel sadness, and I think it's always going to be in my mind,' Kelsey said. 'It's always going to be kind of the asterisk next to this experience for me.' 

Erin added that she feels 'guilty' at times for 'ruin[ing' the experience for Kelsey and their parents.

Erin will not be attending the Olympics.

Women's rowing events will begin on July 27.