Danish rowing legend to receive prestigious award

Secher receives the award on the basis of his lifesaving research in developing new methods for measuring loss of blood.

“It’s a remarkable recognition of my work through time to receive this award. The fact that the award even holds the name of the Krogh family is a tremendous honour for me as I, concept-wise, have followed in the footsteps of August Krogh who has been an inspiration for my research,” says Secher.

After finishing eighth in the men’s single sculls at the 1968 Olympic Games, Secher together with Jørgen Engelbrecht won gold at the 1970 World Rowing Championships in the men’s double sculls while
the two of them finished fourth at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Secher’s path to research came out of his time as a rower. While competing, Secher says he had no immediate intentions of becoming professor and head of the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory at the Copenhagen University Hospital. Then later one of his Canadian competitors fed him the idea that was going to become his career path.

“I spoke to Roger Jackson (Canadian Olympic Champion in the men’s pair at the 1964 Olympic Games) who told me that he was going to do part of his studies at the August Krogh Institute. He inspired me to research the physiology of rowers and circulation of the blood.” says Secher.

Secher did extensive research in physiological variables such as work capacity and maximum oxygen uptake in relation to rowing and was the author of several publications where he discussed the findings of his research, among others, “The Physiology of Sports” and “Handbook about Sports Medicine and Science.” In addition Secher was invited as guest speaker to discuss his research at a number of sports conferences.

Copy thanks to Danish Rowing, Svend Bertil Frandsen