When I won my first Olympic gold in 1984, one of the journalists who approached me was a man called Richard Burnell. He had won gold in the double sculls in 1948. He said to me, “You’re world champion for a year, you’re Olympic champion for life.” I can’t think of any better words to describe it. This is the pinnacle.
Our men and women who will be competing for gold in their boats in Paris today and in the coming days know this. They know that the recognition that comes with the Olympic Games is unrivalled.
Winning a world title is special, of course, but it’s just one more step towards this. In the three World Championships prior to my first Games, I finished eighth, sixth and was eliminated. Then I became Olympic champion.
Athletes don’t retire after a World Championship, but after an Olympics. That’s their driving force.
These days, we hear a lot about sacrifices. Rowers love to talk about all the sacrifices they made to get here, and as experts and journalists, we love hearing all about them.
British rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave has analysed the British team’s medal chances at the Paris Games
Redgrave is the most successful male rower in Olympic history, winning gold medals at five consecutive Games between 1984 and 2000.
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But when I look back, was it a sacrifice? Not really. Every rower I’ve met, whether they took home gold or didn’t even make the final, fondly remembers competing at this level. It’s fantastic to be among the less than one per cent able to represent their country at the Olympics.
Yesterday I watched Nathan Hales win gold in shooting. He was so nervous, he was shaking like a leaf. He takes his last shot, turns to the crowd, breaks his gun and holds it over his head. That’s what it’s all about, being part of something special.
Our rowers now have the opportunity to join him.
Men’s Pairs Semi-Final: Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Tom George
They’ve been a couple for a couple of years and have had some close finishes where they’ve been on the wrong side of some fine margins.
The Croatian Sinkovic brothers won gold in the double sculls in Rio and then in this event in Tokyo, but now, at 34 and 36, they are too old to challenge them. Oliver and Tom have dominated this year and I don’t see anyone else
SIR STEVE’S PREDICTION: Gold. He will easily reach the final on Wednesday.
Redgrave believes Oliver Wynne-Griffith (left) and Tom George (right) will prove too strong for the opposition after their dominant year.
Women’s Pairs Semi-Final: Rebecca Edwards and Chloe Brew
Our women’s teams are incredible in every aspect. Since Andrew Randell was appointed as the Women’s Olympic Head Coach in February 2022, we have been getting better and better. I see our women outperforming the men when the final rowing medals are decided.
So, in this context and with this high level of demand, I say that the women’s pairs category is our weakest boat. I think our other boats could win medals, but I don’t think Rebecca and Chloe will make it to the final.
SIR STEVE’S PREDICTION: Will not qualify.
Rebecca Edwards (right) and Chloe Brew (left) have a tough task ahead of them to qualify for the women’s pairs final.
Women’s Lightweight Semifinal: Emily Craig and Imogen Grant
If you think Adam Peaty came close to winning gold the other night, imagine the agony Emily and Imogen went through in Tokyo. They missed out on gold by half a second and a place on the podium by 0.01 seconds.
And that’s 2,000 metres, not just 100. They were very disappointed. They were there to be taken. It was hard for them to accept it. They thought about not continuing, but they had a sensible conversation among themselves, got down to business and have not been defeated in two years.
This dominance is possible thanks to all the support that surrounds them, thanks to the people who play the National Lottery, but also because they are very motivated…
Emily and Imogen are two different characters, each with their own motivations. Imogen is an absolute winner. She is a very determined and focused doctor. Of all the rowing events, she is the second closest to getting a gold medal in Paris. I think only the Romanian women’s eight rower is second.
SIR STEVE’S PREDICTION: Gold. They will comfortably advance to the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Redgrave has backed Emily Craig (left) and Imogen Grant (right) to use Tokyo as fuel for success in Paris
Men’s quadruple sculls final: Thomas Barras, Callum Dixon, Matthew Haywood and Graeme Thomas
There are three medals up for grabs and four teams that can win one. We are one of them. The others are Holland, Italy and Poland.
We took silver three years ago with Thomas as the only one left from that boat in Tokyo, but they have continued to perform well and consistently despite the crew changes.
I think the Dutch will take the gold. They have the foundation of the crew that won gold in Tokyo with a world best time and an Olympic record. They are exceptional. They handle the boat wonderfully. To neutral spectators, they will be the favourites because they really look like the right ones.
We have never won this event at the Olympics and I don’t think we can do it this time. If the Dutch give them a chance, they will not hesitate and will take advantage of it quickly.
SIR STEVE’S PREDICTION: Bronze.
Thomas Barras, Callum Dixon, Matthew Haywood and Graeme Thomas (LR) will compete in an incredibly competitive men’s quadruple sculls final where up to four teams can win gold.
Women’s quadruple sculls final: Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson, Georgina Brayshaw
I think they will win. They are the reigning world champions and the unity and confidence they have, believe me, will have a lot to say at this level. The team was strong before, but since Randell took over, they have gone even further.
In the build-up to the last Olympics, the Chinese dominated this event and it is still the same crew, but they are nowhere near the level they had three years ago. I saw them training in China and they were a tight, technically wonderful group, rowing impeccably. They don’t do that anymore.
They didn’t have many other tactics other than going full speed from the start because when they were as fast as they were, it didn’t really matter. But they’re not in that league anymore these days.
The Dutch are very good and have been knocking on our door for some time now. Ukraine too. If there is anyone who can surprise us, I think it could be them more than the Chinese.
SIR STEVE’S PREDICTION Gold.
Redgrave has backed Lauren Henry, Hannah Scott, Lola Anderson and Georgina Brayshaw (left to right) to add the Olympic title to their world championship success.
Venue: Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
I have run here before and it was horrible, but that was 30 years ago and in May. It is a large lake which can be affected by the wind, although so far the conditions have been good in Paris.
If I had to pick a place where I could paddle forever, this would be near the bottom of the list. But once it’s dressed up for the Olympics, it becomes a special place.
You can hear Steve on Mail Online in our exclusive video series every day of the Olympic Games.
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