Image Credit: World Rowing
Paris 2024 marks 100 years since the city last hosted the Olympics, and 124 years since rowing was first competed on this stage. At both previous Parisian fixtures, 7 nations came away with medals across 7 men’s-only events. Despite the obvious evolution of international and Olympic rowing, now boasting gender parity across twice as many events and – until now – lightweight opportunities as well, medal tables from a century ago would not look so out of place today. In fact, just 7 countries have topped the medal table in the sport’s Olympic history, with the USA and Germany (albeit under 3 different names) taking the top spot 16 times between them. It won’t be any surprise to see these two, or say, Great Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, on the Parisian podium, and the sheer pedigree of these older, deeper, boundary-pushing crews guarantees the spectator a masterclass in rowing. Take a look at the smaller contingents entered, however, and you’ll find that their racing encapsulates the very spirit of our sport.
Paris 2024 sees 61 National Olympic Committees entered, with Romania boating 12 crews and 45 athletes, and the historically dominant USA nearly matching them with as many boats, and 42 athletes. On the other hand, 21 countries have qualified just one crew for Paris, and for all but one (the Estonian men’s quad) these boats are just one sculler. The spotlight will shine on names like Zeidler and Van Dorp, and Florijn and Kohler, all athletes with the support of huge national programs, but the expansion of our sport welcomes 32 scullers on each of the men’s and women’s sides. This showcases a huge range of styles, attitudes, stories, and successes.
Recent efforts at a club level have seen rowing reach further than ever before and allowed the rise of incredible community-based crews: surely, the expansion of Olympic rowing beyond the esoteric inner circle of countries with countless lakes, athletes, and success stories will yield a similar effect. Olympic year is a time of change – for the frontiers of rowing, of course look to the tried and tested international successes – but for change in the spirit of the sport, let us take the time to celebrate new additions to rowing history, who approach the games not with a century’s success spurring them on, but the raw energy rooted in a sport dedicated to going faster, higher, stronger – together.
World Cup 2 this year saw Hong Kong’s first ever world-level gold from Chiu Hin Chun in the lightweight men’s single – he’s returning in the open weight equivalent to attempt a reprise of this historical result, 8 years on from his last Olympics and as the sole representative from Hong Kong. In his World Rowing interview as Rower of the Month in June, Chiu cited New Zealand rower Hamish Bond as a significant inspiration, for his remarkable fitness and rowing skills. The rest of Chiu’s interview demonstrates the very same tenacity in himself, painting a picture of a resilient and ambitious athlete who is pioneering the sport in Hong Kong, inspired by those who came in rowing before him. The success of Bond, with 11 golds from the Olympics and World Championships and 3 medals from a separate road cycling career (after all, you only live twice), is not easily replicated, though perhaps it is not supposed to be. It shouldn’t be, and isn’t, someone’s height, muscle mass, or raw power that inspires a new group of rowers – this conscientiousness, commitment, and resilience, now reflected in the pioneering success of Chiu Hin Chun, embodies what should really be celebrated in Olympic rowing. It is a victory accessible to all, regardless of team size, history, or position achieved in a field of the very best in the world.
There are few sports more raw, more physical, more demanding than rowing, particularly on an international stage – it is time we celebrate not only the tallest and strongest athletes, the oldest and richest programs, but the most unbreakable spirits that overcome the demands of our sport.
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