Smiles, jokes and joy of a lifetime - reactions from the Sea Forest Waterway

The racing today brought with it many surprises – dashing finishes, crabs at the line, upsets, and more. Here is what the athletes have to say.

The British women’s pair finished fourth after a valiant effort to fight for a medal. After racing the duo reported being very proud of what they had accomplished in such a short period of time.

“We were talking about them at 2019 and then them at Europeans a few months ago, and they mentioned the date of when some of them last competed, and it made me realise – I was breastfeeding the twins three months ago. Three months ago that’s where I was, and we were talking about who won the world cup three months ago,” says Helen Glover, women’s pair, Great Britain.

“For Helen, she was looking after three kids. For me, I was working in a hospital a year ago today, and I don’t think there’s many people in the Olympic athlete setup that can say these things and be in a final. We certainly fought our all to try and get onto that podium. I can’t fault our determination for that, and more so the way that we fought every day in training,” says teammate Polly Swann.

For other crews, the final finish was the surprise and joy of a lifetime.

“A bit lost for words. Just really happy and grateful and for all the support we’ve been getting the last few days, and the last few weeks and months since we started this pair last year. It’s just hard not to smile and just feel the weight of this medal. It’s just surreal,” says Frederic Vystavel, men’s pair, Denmark, bronze.

But the conditions caused disaster for some crews. The Dutch lightweight women’s double sculls were leading until two strokes before the line, when they caught a crab.

“We had a really good finish from start to almost finish. Of course it hurts because we were really fast. But we were really fast and really good. And it’s not just this race that makes this experience special, it’s the last five years as well. I am more than proud now,” says Marieke Keijser, lightweight women’s double sculls, Netherlands, bronze.

And a few rowing legends cemented their status by winning gold. The Sinkovic brothers had a classy race to lead from start to finish. But they say they will not stay in the men’s pair, it wasn’t their boatclass.

When asked if they could beat the Kiwi pair, they respond, “maybe in a few years that we compete with them we can get close to them. We were never that satisfied with the pair like we were in the double, so I still think they’re the best pair ever,” says Martin Sinkovic, men’s pair, Croatia, gold.

The Italian lightweight women’s double sculls made history by winning the first medal ever for women’s rowing in Italy. 

“It’s a great feeling. It is difficult to describe, but we wanted it, we searched for it and finally we have it,” says Federica Cesarini, lightweight women’s double sculls, Italy, gold.

And Paul O’Donovan, the ever-joker, admitted that he doesn’t really remember what it felt like to win silver back in Rio, so he can’t really compare it to today, except that winning gold is better.

When asked if he’s heard from people at home he responds, “I just ignore everyone all the time. I got a capacity to send two text messages per day no matter the circumstances. That’s about it, I leave the phone in my pocket. They are not too happy at home, but that’s how it is,”