In memoriam: Chris Dodd

World Rowing is saddened to mark the passing of Chris Dodd, a deeply respected journalist, historian and long-time contributor to the international Rowing community, who died on 25 January 2026 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Chris was 84 years old.

Chris’s influence on Rowing extended far beyond his native Britain — through his writing, editorial leadership and engagement with the global Rowing community, he played a significant role in shaping how the sport’s stories were told and preserved internationally.

Chris discovered Rowing at Clifton College in Bristol and went on to become one of the sport’s most prolific chroniclers. After serving on the national press at The Guardian, he became a familiar voice in Rowing journalism, covering major events — from World Rowing Championships to annual editions of The Boat Race — for more than four decades.

His depth of knowledge and passion for the sport’s heritage made him a highly respected historian. Over his career he published nine books on the history of Rowing, including detailed accounts of the Henley Royal Regatta, The Boat Race, and the sport’s own evolution over time. Chris’s impact on international Rowing was especially pronounced through his involvement with FISA’s Media & Promotion Commission. From 1990 to 2002, he served as a member of the commission, helping to guide how the sport communicated its events, stories and values to a global audience.

He was a founding editor of World Rowing magazine, a key international publication that connected rowers, officials and fans across continents and became a valuable record of the sport’s milestone moments. In addition, Chris was instrumental in creating RowingVoice, a media initiative launched at the 2006 World Rowing Championships to further strengthen independent storytelling around major international regattas.

Beyond the written word, Chris also served as press chief at multiple major rowing events, including the World Rowing Championships in 1986 and 1994, and acted as editor of the Olympic News Service at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

In 2008, Chris was nominated for the World Rowing Distinguished Services to International Rowing Award — a testament to his enduring contribution to the sport’s promotion and understanding worldwide. He was also a recipient of British Rowing’s Medal of Honour in recognition of his extraordinary service to Rowing journalism and his deep commitment to the sport’s heritage and community.

Chris’s passion for the sport extended into preservation and education. In 1998, he was a key founder of the River and Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, helping to establish its Rowing collection and library, which became a treasured resource for sport history enthusiasts until the museum’s recent closure.

World Rowing extends heartfelt condolences to Chris’s family, friends and the global rowing community. His dedication to chronicling our sport’s rich stories, promoting its values, and nurturing a shared sense of history has left an indelible mark on the sport worldwide.

His friend and colleague Tim Koch has written a full obituary on Hear The Boat Sing, which you can read here.