From Olympic Champion to Firefighter

Becoming an Olympic Champion is often described as a surreal experience, but for Jacob Dawson, even months after standing atop the podium in Paris 2024, draped in the British Union Jack flag, the reality of his achievement is still being processed. “It will never sink in, he admits. “Time slowed down as we crossed the line. It felt like something out of a fairy tale.”

Rowing, particularly in the men’s eight, which Dawson excelled at with two Olympic medals and a World Championship title to his name, is about creating something greater than the sum of its parts. Dawson emphasises putting ego aside and committing fully to a shared cause. That philosophy has been ingrained in him since he first picked up an oar.

Coming from Plymouth, UK, rowing was not an immediately obvious path for Dawson. “There’s sometimes a reputation that rowing is an elitist sport, and if you didn’t go to a private school, it’s harder to break into,” he explains, having studied at Plymstock Secondary School. However, after London Olympics in 2012, a Royal Marine Physical Training Instructor, Kevin Sellar, introduced him to indoor rowing at the age of 12. At 16, he broke the 7-minute barrier in his first ever 2,000 m test. Dawson discovered a love for the process. “It wasn’t about making the Olympics from the start; I just enjoyed the sense of family and the opportunity it gave me.”

Dawson first taste of top competition came at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, where he won in the quad. Later, he was recruited to the elite University of Washington. After graduating in 2016, Dawson entered Team GB after the Rio Olympics, where a number of rowing veterans retired. The journey leading to Tokyo 2020 was intense due to the pandemic.  “We trained well together despite the circumstances”, says Dawson. The eventual Olympic bronze medal, however, greeted Dawson with mixed emotions. “It felt like we salvaged a result and we did not achieve being greater than the sum of our parts.”

Post Tokyo, Dawson was keen for another Olympic shot. However, he faced an unexpected hurdle: a blood clot in his lung in March 2022, following complications from COVID-19. “It was sobering,” he reflects. “For months, I had this inner voice saying, ‘You don’t have to do this. You can walk away.’ But I couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting to come back.”

Dawson’s stoicism drove him to recovery. When a teammate’s injury forced a substitution, he stepped up and helped the GB eight win the 2023 World Rowing Championships. Dawson says, “It’s not the way you want to get your seat, but it was an incredible season.”

The momentum continued in Paris 2024 with Olympic glory. He beams, “To stand on that podium with my teammates was an indescribable feeling.”

Now, Dawson is at a crossroads. He is still connected to Leander, the elite rowing club in Henley, UK but says, “I am at a place where I can put international rowing aside now. There is life beyond rowing. It’s a demanding pursuit. The sacrifices were not just mine, my parents and loved ones endured the most, unconditionally supporting me throughout, no matter what they had to give up. I feel it’s time for the next generation to continue the team’s legacy now.”

One of Dawson’s childhood dreams was to become a firefighter, which he had to delay while pursuing his rowing ambitions. He says, “Throughout my life, I’ve always felt immense satisfaction in trying to make a positive impact and in helping others, and I wanted to extend that beyond sport. We all have something valuable to contribute. I’m fortunate that my desire to help others aligns with becoming a firefighter.” Jacob adds, “It also fills that void of working in a team, overcoming challenges, and constantly learning.” Dawson has also added tree surgery into his repertoire, commenting, “Studying trees, sustainable forestry, and ecology, it’s a whole new challenge.”

Observing the sport as a whole, Dawson believes rowing is heading in the right direction, including through coastal rowing. For the LA Games in 2028, with its shorter course, Dawson, despite being a rowing purist, cautiously acknowledges the benefits of bringing the regatta closer to the main Olympic atmosphere, saying, “Adaptability is key to rowing’s survival.”

Dawson concludes the interview with parting advice to aspiring Olympians: “Love what you do. If you’re not enjoying it, change something. Love the process, be open-minded, take advice, and be coachable.”