The powerful men of the quad - the men's quadruple sculls

The men’s quad is all about power. Their lower rating, explosive strokes and upright style are a contrast to the dynamic style of the lightweight crews we have looked at over the past three weeks.

The men’s quad was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1976, nine Olympiads ago. It is an event that has seen some of the sport’s greatest names race in. A total of 27 medals have been won in the event with East Germany, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia the first nations to be named Olympic medallists in 1976. Despite the success of eastern European countries in the early years, it is Italy that sits at the top of the overall Olympic medals table with four medals – two gold, one silver and one bronze.

Italy first began their collection of Olympic medals in the men’s quad at the 1988 Olympic venue of Seoul, Korea,thanks to Piero Poli, Gianluca Farina, Davide Tizzano and Agostino Abbagnale. Four years later the Italians attempted to defend their title as Olympic Champions at the Barcelona Games but their dream did not become a reality. Germany took top honours, a comfortable two seconds ahead of any challengers. Norway, Italy and Switzerland raced for the two remaining medal positions and found themselves in a fierce battle finishing within 0.3 seconds of each other. The Norwegians took silver whilst Italy claimed bronze with a mere 0.06 margin over the Swiss crew. The German win marked the first of three medals they would win over a span of three consecutive Olympiads in the men’s quad.

Moving to more recent times, it didn’t take long before people realised that the Polish crew that lined up at the 2005 World Rowing Championships in Gifu, Japan, were something special. Konrad Wasielewski, Marek Kolbowicz, Michal Jelinski and Adam Korol are four names that became synonymous with the men’s quad during the Beijing Olympiad. The crew was formed in 2005 when newcomers Wasielewski and Jelinski joined the crew after a fourth place finish in Athens with the boat that included Korol and Kolbowicz. The result was impressive. The Polish quad led from start to finish, this race almost a metaphor of the hugely impressive Olympiad that was to come. Slovenia’s quad, which included Luka Spik and Iztok Cop finished in second place, whilst Estonia took bronze with Jueri Jaanson sitting in bow.

In 2006, Poland again took gold with Ukraine and Estonia crossing the line in second and third positions respectively.  This race was the only World Championship race where Poland did not lead from the outset. The first 500 metres of the Eton course saw Ukraine and Russia push Poland into third place, something that clearly didn’t sit well with them as by the half-way point they were leading the field by a second. At the 2007 World Championships Poland’s winning ways were on display again. They were, as had become expected by spectators and even other crews, untouchable from start to finish. France and Germany took second and third place honours.

The men’s quad was highly anticipated at the Beijing Olympic Games. ‘Poland’ was the buzz word when it came to this event. Great excitement came in heat one when Australia’s Christopher Morgan, James McRae, Brendan Long and Daniel Noonan set the World Best Time of 5:36.2. Was this a sign of things to come? The line-up of the final saw some change to what many had become used to over the previous four years. One thing that didn’t change, however, was Poland. From the beginning they took charge of their first Olympic final together and held a comfortable lead over the other five boats. They reached the line over two seconds ahead of their closest challengers, Italy, who took second with France in third.

The London Olympiad began with Poland’s familiar faces taking gold. Australia mounted a challenge with the addition of men’s double sculls Olympic gold medallist David Crawshay adding to the crew. In 2010 Poland did not travel to the World Rowing Championships in New Zealand and Croatia replaced them as World Champions, with a strong Italian crew taking silver. Australia again saw a medal finish, taking the bronze.  

The Pre-Olympic year is the year when crews attempt to assert their dominance in an event, hoping to show what they have in store for the upcoming Olympic Games. In 2011 Australia showed that they will be the crew to watch out for at the London Games. Despite Germany being the favourites to win, a dramatic crab just metres before the finish saw Australia pip Germany to take the gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Bled. Croatia took bronze whilst Poland, with a replacement for an injured Korol, finished fourth.  

There are not many certainties coming into the London 2012 Olympic Games, but one thing is for sure – the challenge for gold in the men’s quad will certainly be one to watch!

Did you know?
– The men’s quad first appeared at the World Championships in 1974.
– FISA president Denis Oswald raced for Switzerland in the men’s quad at the 1976 Olympic Games.
– The great Norwegian, Alf Hansen took silver in the quad at the 1988 Olympics at the age of 40.
– 1992 Italian Bronze medallist, Rossano Galtarossa is currently aiming for the London Olympics in the quad.

Olympic Medal Table