Paris 2024 Rowing: Great Britain reclaims gold with dominant men's eight victory - full results
Picture by 2024 Getty Images
Great Britain delivered a masterclass when reclaiming the men’s eight Olympic title after beating the Netherlands and United States to rowing gold on Saturday (3 August) at Paris 2024.
After bronze at Tokyo 2020, reigning two-time world champions Great Britain grabbed back the gold they had won at Rio 2016 with a time of 5:22.88.
The Netherlands (5:23.92) were just over a second back to take silver ahead of the United States (5:25.28) in bronze at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
Led by cox Harry Brightmore, the victorious men’s eight were Sholto Carnegie, Rory Gibbs, Morgan Bolding, Jacob Dawson, Charles Elwes, Tom Digby, James Rudkin and Tom Ford – the same team that won the worlds last year.
It was Team GB’s third gold medal in the rowing at Paris 2024. Only the Dutch have won more golds (four), while both nations led the way with eight medals apiece in total.
This had been viewed as a straight battle for gold between the two boats in the middle lanes, with the USA and Great Britain having won their respective heats back on Monday.
That gave both teams the luxury of watching the remaining nations go again in the repechage on Thursday, which was won by the Netherlands to showcase their podium potential.
On Saturday morning, it was neck and neck to begin with between the Netherlands and Great Britain at the first 500m checkpoint, with the U.S. giving chase.
The Dutch led by just 0.12 seconds at the halfway stage, with the Americans trailing the two boats by more than a second.
A stunning next 500m saw the British team take a one-second lead, and from there they closed it out, with the Dutch second and USA third, extending their 20-year wait for a gold in this event.
Men’s eight final, Paris 2024
Gold: Great Britain
Silver: Netherlands
Bronze: United States
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