Australian Rowing legend, James Tomkins to be awarded highest distinction in rowing

The Thomas Keller Medal committee is honoured to announce that Australian rowing legend, and stroke of the famous Oarsome Foursome, James Tomkins, is this year's winner of the Thomas Keller Award – rowing's highest distinction.

Tomkins' career spanned over 23 years, beginning in 1985 at age 19. By the age of 20 Tomkins was already a World Champion. In 1988 Tomkins made his first Olympic Games appearance in Seoul. This would be the first of six Olympic Game appearances.

After Seoul Tomkins took a break before returning to the international scene in a four. Right from the beginning the four was fast. They claimed back-to-back World Champion titles then won the 1992 Olympic Games. Tomkins had earned his first Olympic gold medal.

Tomkins was back in the four a year before the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Leading into Atlanta there was just one crew change from the 1992 gold medal crew, young Drew Ginn had come into the boat. The four of Tomkins, Ginn, Mike McKay and Nick Green won. Australia took notice. The term 'Oarsome Foursome' was coined and the popularity of rowing in Australia boomed.

Tomkins' Oarsome days turned out to be just one phase of his rowing career. As it happens, Tomkins is the only man ever to win world championship gold medals in every sweep oar event, the men's eight, pair, four, coxed four and coxed pair. He also has three Olympic gold medals and an Olympic bronze.

According to former partner Drew Ginn, when asked about Tomkins he says: "It was not about what he said or did, it was intangible, invisible, but I could feel this amazing force or influence he had. He could perform under pressure and do it in a way that appeared magical. It was extraordinary,"

In 2008 Tomkins, 42, prepared for his sixth Olympic Games as a member of the men's eight. He was rowing with crew mates who hadn't yet started rowing when Tomkins was racing with his 1996 crew.

Tomkins is known to have successfully balanced rowing, family life and a career, continuing to work throughout his entire rowing days. He is married and is the father of three daughters. He is currently a senior account manager for BT Financial Group.

The 18-carat gold Thomas Keller Medal will be presented to James Tomkins during the World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro, New Zealand in November.

The other nominees for this year's award were:

About the Thomas Keller Medal
The Thomas Keller Medal is the highest distinction in the sport of rowing. It is awarded to recognise an exceptional international rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship and legendary aspect.

The award was named after the late President of FISA, Thomas Keller (Thomi). Born in 1924, Keller was elected President of FISA in 1958, at the age of 34 and was then the youngest-ever president of an international sports federation.

Following the 1988 Olympics, Thomi Keller spontaneously awarded the FISA Medal of Honour to Peter-Michael Kolbe and Pertti Karppinen to commemorate one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport and recognising their exceptional talent and sportsmanship. This shaped the idea of the Thomas Keller Medal which was initiated by the Keller family following Thomi's passing in 1989 and was first awarded to the great Norwegian oarsman Alf Hansen in 1990.

Each year, the winner is carefully selected by the Thomas Keller Medal committee, after a broad international nomination process, to ensure that the true values in which Thomi so strongly believed are represented in this award.

A full list of previous Thomas Keller Medallists can be viewed here.

Communication Coordinator – Rowing Australia
David Polglase
Tel: +61 (02) 6273 0232
E-mail: david.polglase@contentgroup.com.au