Final words of wisdom at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Rowing Regatta

The Olympic Rowing Regatta has come to a close, but the last day of finals brought with it unexpected results. The athletes had quite a few things to say about today’s racing.

Rowing legend Hamish Bond from New Zealand secured his third Olympic gold medal, but he says this one taste different.

“This doesn’t compare. With Eric (Murray), we came into London and Rio out-and-out favourites and to be honest it was just relief that we got across the line first and didn’t stuff it up. Here though in the eight, it’s been a long campaign, the 12 extra months, but we needed that 12 months. We’ve got guys 21 years old. If this regatta was held last year, we wouldn’t be sitting here. I managed to hang on along the way, the young guys elevated in the last months, it kept me going. They stood up and are so mature beyond their years. To achieve this medal with these guys is so special and a little bit surreal,” says Bond.

Bond is the oldest rower in the boat, and the most experienced.

“It was always my mission just to turn up and get back to my best, first and foremost, but to set expectations on them. And the way that they weren’t overawed, they weren’t intimidated by that. They were like, all right then old man, I’ll show you”, says Bond.

But the Kiwi eight wasn’t the only crew to surprise. The Canadian women’s eight won gold for the first time since 1992 in the boatclass.

“We had some really tight races. I felt like we built up every race and we decided that today was going to be the best race. We knew if we laid down the best race we could probably win a gold medal. We were more focused on having our best race and knowing that that would probably give us what we wanted,” says Lisa Roman.

Coxswain Kristen Kit adds later: “I just really believed in our boat and that belief informed my decision to join the race. We had a plan and the moves went slightly earlier than anticipated. I think the strength of this crew showed through. Every time I made a call, they responded. From the coxswain seat, I am really lucky. There’s another coxswain helping here and he told me, decide what colour the medal is from 250 to the 500m and that stayed in my brain today. The girls responded when I asked.”

And the surprises kept coming. Greece’s Stefanos Ntouskos made history becoming the first-ever gold medal for Greece in rowing.

“I feel perfect. I feel very, very good. I’m excited. I don’t have words. I’m happy,” says Stefanos Ntouskos.

“I was in the third place at 750 metres. There was one variation, to go up with strokes. I changed my rhythm and power, and then I was in front. I am happy to have had a great race with them, because I know they are the best in the world.”

Perhaps the only ‘expected’ result was Emma Twigg winning the women’s single sculls for New Zealand. But Twigg has had two fourth-place finishes at the Olympic Games, so today’s win was potentially even more sweet.

“It’s pretty special. It’s been a long and rocky journey and to cross the line today with the gold medal was pretty mind blowing and special. And probably representative of the people I’ve been surrounded by in the last Olympic cycle. People who have given more than me for me to be here,” says Twigg.

When asked if this performance satisfied her desire for an Olympic medal, or if she would come back for more, Twigg says, “Never say never – in the words of Redgrave. Years ago he retired and then came back. Honestly I love the sport and the people, so long as my body is willing and able, I’d love to keep giving something to the sport, and with a little less pressure.”