07 Dec 2011
Sir Matthew Pinsent recipient of FISA's Thomas Keller Award
(l to r) Dominik Keller, Matthew Pinsent, FISA President Denis Oswald
The 2005 Thomas Keller Medal for an "outstanding career in rowing" was awarded by the International Rowing Federation (FISA) to Sir Matthew Pinsent of Great Britain today at Dorney Lake, Eton.
The medal has been established as the highest honour in the sport of rowing and is presented to recognise an exceptional rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship. Named after the late President of FISA, the first medal was first awarded to the great Norwegian oarsman Alf Hansen in 1990. Sir Matthew said: "I only knew Thomas for a couple of years but he was a special individual. In this sport you remember the medals that you've won but you cherish the friendships you make even more.
Denis Oswald said: "First of all his sporting achievements are exceptional. To have won so many gold medals is a fantastic achievement, but the most important thing about him is his personality. In spite of all the success and the glory he has had he remains a true sportsman. He is an example to all the young people in our sport and a real role model. In many ways his qualities are typical of rowers, but young people can learn a great deal from him."
Pinsent's rowing career spanned over 17 years, since his International debut at the Junior World Championships in 1987. He became part of the rowing legend when he partnered Sir Steve Redgrave to help win his 5th consecutive Olympic Gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
When Redgrave retired, Pinsent teamed up with James Cracknell in the men's pair, continuing the World Championship winning streak and going unbeaten until 2002. Pinsent returned to the four for the 2004 Athens Olympics, successfully ending his rowing career with a fourth Olympic Gold medal.
Since 1990, Pinsent's rowing achievements include 4 Olympic gold medals, 10 World Rowing Championship golds and 6 Rowing World Cup gold medals in the men's four, men's pair and even the men's coxed pair, making him one of Britains most successful athletes in any sport.
The 18-carat gold Thomas Keller medal was presented to Sir Matthew Pinsent by Dominik Keller, son of the late Thomas Keller, on Saturday 28 May 2005, just after the men's eight race at the BearingPoint Rowing World Cup regatta in Eton, Great Britain (26 to 28 May).
Previous awardees of the medal include Nico Rienks (NED), Peter Antonie (AUS), Marnie McBean (CAN) and Sir Steve Redgrave (GBR).
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