The Olympic Rowing competition will be fierce in 2008. The road just to get to the Olympics was a grueling experience around the world as many national “favorites” will be left on the sidelines this summer. Here is a list of some of the fiercest Olympic Rowing competitors that the United States will have to face en route to the podium in Beijing.
1. Men’s Coxless Pair: Rob Waddell of New Zealand
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Coming out of “retirement,” Rob Waddell will be making his second Olympic appearance this summer in Beijing, this time in the coxless pair event. Two time world champion, Waddell won the gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the single sculls event. He fought it out to once again represent New Zealand in the single sculls only to be beaten by rising star Mahe Drysdale.
2. Men’s Single Sculls (1x): Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand
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Originally competing in the coxless four events and finishing in fifth place during the 2004 Athens Olympics, Mahe Drysdale decided to take up the single sculls event. This proved a wise choice for Drysdale as he it earned him three world championships to date. He fought it out with Rob Waddell to represent New Zealand in the single sculls event. Mahe Drysdale prevailed in a best a three race-off that was decided in early 2008.
3. Women’s Double Sculls (2x): Kathrin Boron
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One of the most prolific gold medal winners in Olympic Rowing history, Kathrin Boron has won four gold medals in as many Olympics. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will mark 16 years of Olympic competition for Kathrin as she competed in the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics in either the double sculls or the quadruple. It should be exciting to see if the 37 year old Kathrin Boron can win her fifth Olympic medal.
4. Men’s Coxless Four (4-) Steve Williams of Great Britain
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With a gold medal in the coxless four during the 2004 Athens Olympics, Steve Williams will be looking to repeat with his crew in Beijing. Steve is the only returning member of Great Britain’s Olympic gold medal winning coxless four crew. Two-time world champion, Williams routinely finishes in first or second place at world cup competitions. It should be interesting to see if he can repeat with this new crew.
