Rowing legends contribute to the Olympic Museum

Olaf Tufte, representing Norway, and Martin and Valent Sinkovic from Croatia have, amongst others, donated memorabilia from their extensive rowing career to the Olympic Museum.

Tufte donated his 2008 gold medal winning unisuit, which will go to the legacy heritage display within the Olympic Museum. It is the kit in which Tufte won the men’s single sculls final in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

When donating Tufte said, “I’m grateful for everything World Rowing has been doing for the sport for the last 28 years. It’s been a journey and it’s been great fun to be part of this rowing family. This family has shaped me as a rower and a person” 

For the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Tufte made his seventh Olympic rowing appearance. He raced in the men’s quadruple sculls with Martin Helseth, Jan Helvig and Erik Solbakken, but ultimately finished third in the B-final.

The Sinkovic brothers also donated an oar and a uniform to the Olympic Museum. Both items are from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where Valent and Martin Sinkovic became the first Olympic Champions in both the men’s pair (Tokyo) and the men’s double sculls (Rio). The accomplished Sinkovic brothers also have an Olympic silver medal (from London) in the men’s quadruple sculls.

Amongst other countries to donate were the United States, the Russian Olympic Committee and New Zealand.

Athletes are able to donate to the IOC’s cultural heritage. The museum already boasts more than 700,000 items of Olympic historical archives spanning over 125 years of Olympism. 

“Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement. By donating their sports equipment to the international Olympic Committee and the and The Olympic Museum, they are sharing a key moment of Olympic history with the public.” IOC President Thomas Bach