French Olympic Champion Ends International Rowing Career

Laurent Porchier after winning LM4- gold at the Sydney Olympics
© Getty Images

Lightweight coxless four Olympic champion Laurent Porchier has announced in a letter to the French Rowing authorities that he is retiring from international rowing a French Rowing Federation press release announced this morning.

The 34-year old 2001 lightweight eight champion had been injured in a car accident earlier this year, and although he was back in training soon afterwards, he was not able to regain his full physical condition in time for the new season. He decided to retire and devote his time to his family and to his professional career as an accountant.

Porchier was meant to row in a lightweight men’s coxless pair with partner Frédéric Dufour in an aim to take another French crew to the Zurich Rowing World Championships in Seville next September.

As well as being part of the winning lightweight eight crew at the World Championships in Lucerne last year, Porchier was also a bronze medallist in the lightweight coxless four in 2001 and in 1999. His international achievements go back to 1987 when he won bronze in the lightweight single scull at the European Cup in Aiguebelette, France.

For more information on Laurent Porchier’s career achievements, visit the top rowers section of Worldrowing.com