Women's Quadruple Sculls (W4x) - Olympic Final

Poland got away the quickest in their attempt to be the first Polish crew to medal in this boat class. This put the World silver medallists, Germany into second with the Netherlands right on Germany’s tail. Further down the field were the reigning World Champions, the United States who had not had a good lead up to this regatta and Olympic Champions, Ukraine with a new crew from their 2012 winning boat.

Then the Dutch got ahead of Germany. Could they hold this pace for the full race? At this stage of the race crews have gone from anaerobic to aerobic and already every part of their body would be hurting. Going through the half way point Poland had a two second lead over Germany who were now just a fraction ahead of the Netherlands with Ukraine in fourth.

Maria Springwald, Janna Leszczynska, Agnieszka Kobus, and Monika Ciaciuch of Poland were still in the lead with the final sprint now in view. But Germany’s Thiele, Baer, Lier and Schmidla had closed on the leaders with the Netherlands keeping up.

In the final sprint the Netherlands were at 38 with Poland and Germany at 35. Poland was fading. Germany had done it. Gold to Germany! The Dutch had claimed silver and an credibly happy Poland had gone into history with their bronze medal.

Results: GER, NED, POL, UKR, USA, CHN

Lisa SCHMIDLA (GER) – gold 

I don’t know. It was so hard at the start, we were pushed to the limit. We got it in the last 20 metres, that was a great feeling, I can’t believe it.

Julia LIER (GER) – gold 

I don’t know that we are at the Olympics, it is unbelievable. It is a dream come true. I think I have been dreaming of this for twenty years. 

Chantal ACHTERBERG (NED) – silver 

A little bit disappointed because we were so close to gold, but we are happy about that. I just kept thinking push harder, push harder.

Carline BUOW (NED) – silver 

During the week we really progressed with this weather. I wanted to win the gold, but I think it was our best race, so I am happy with that.