Where are they now : Michel Andrieux

It has been two decades since Michel Andrieux won what many remember as one of the greatest races of all time. The French Olympic gold medallist from Sydney is now 55 years old and rowing remains very much a part of his life.

Together with now World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland, Michel Andrieux made up one of the most successful men’s coxless pair combinations. They won Olympic bronze at Atlanta in 1996, World Rowing Championship gold in 1997, World Rowing Championship silver in 1999, and finally Olympic gold in 2000 in a race many still remember as one of the greatest of all time.

In that Syndey 2000 race for Olympic gold, Andrieux and Rolland caught the rest of the field ‘napping’ in the third 500m, and orchestrated a burst at 44 strokes a minute which devastated the field and overhauled the leaders from Great Britain. They held their lead, fighting off fast finishing sprints from the United States and Australia to cross the line first.

A race the Frenchman remembers as if it happened yesterday. “What comes back to me now, are the emotions of the race, the efforts we made. It was for sure an exceptional race. The pair is such a difficult boat, and having our names up there with Bond and Murray, with Redgrave and Pinsent, it is quite amazing. We came fourth in Barcelona and third in Atlanta, far from our expectations, and in Sydney we had much more maturity, more control.”

For Michel Andrieux, it was a childhood dream come true. “Winning a gold medal at the Olympics was something I wasn’t expecting after having been left out of the national team as a junior. But this is what rowing is all about, not giving up on your dreams.”

He also remembers all his moments with ‘JC’. “We had lots of ups and downs throughout our career, we are two different people but we would be nothing without each other. I am really happy for Jean-Christophe – although not surprised – to see him leading our Federation and being an IOC member. He has always been a very humble person, very supportive.”

The French duo had some unforgettable moments together – the gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but also, their World Championship title on home waters, Aiguebelette in 1997.

Living in Bordeaux, France, he is still very much involved in rowing – an advisor for Falcon Racing, President of his regional federation, and just as passionate as ever. “I woke up at 3am to watch the French men’s double sculls’ final in Tokyo last year. I am always trying to watch international races, and support the French team. Locally, we are doing our best to develop young rowers, to give them all the tools to succeed at the highest level.”

With Paris 2024 in sight – an event the Frenchman says he certainly will not miss. “Having the Olympic Games at home, it is wonderful. Let’s hope for some great racing – and hopefully lots of medals for the home nation.”

Rowing has always been a big part of Michel Andrieux’s life. He now wants to give back what rowing made possible for him. “This is my duty as a former Olympic gold medallist, he says. “The sport needs to evolve, to grow even more, and we all can contribute to that. I’m not doing this for my image, I’m doing it for my passion for rowing, to try and make a difference for the young rowers.”