Paris 2024 rowing: All results as Netherlands stun Great Britain in thrilling women’s four final
The Netherlands took home a thrilling rowing gold after beating favourites Great Britain by just 0.18 seconds in the women’s four final on Thursday.
The Dutch quartet of Marloes Oldenburg, Hermijntje Drenth, Tinka Offereins and Benthe Boonstra crossed the line with a time of 6:27.13.
In doing so, they stunned Great Britain - who had been unbeaten previously in 2024 - and denied Helen Glover a third Olympic gold.
The 38-year-old ultimately added silver to her collection with British teammates Esme Booth, Sam Redgrave and Rebecca Shorten, while New Zealand claimed the bronze.
Gold medalists Marloes Oldenburg, Mermijntje Drenth, Tinka Offereins and Benthe Boonstra of Team Netherlands (C), silver medalists Helen Glover, Esme Booth, Sam Redgrave and Rebecca Shorten of Team Great Britain (L) and bronze medalists Jackie Gowler, Phoebe Spoors, Davina Waddy and Kerri Williams of Team New Zealand (R)
The expectancy was a two-way fight for gold going into the final given Great Britain’s supremacy this year, while the Dutch had won the World Championships in 2023.
This was a new Dutch quartet from the team that won silver at Tokyo 2020, and in this final they set the early pace, with Great Britain half a length down but showing signs they were clawing back the deficit at the halfway stage.
In a straight shootout for gold, the Dutch stayed in front with 500m to go, but only led the Brits by 0.15 seconds – setting up a thrilling finale.
Great Britain were seemingly edging inches in front, but the lead was swapping with each stroke before the Netherlands dug deep into their reserves for a final push to win gold.
In the race for bronze, New Zealand’s Jackie Gowler, Phoebe Spoors, Davina Waddy and Kerri Williams made the podium by finishing 0.44 seconds clear of Romania.
Women’s four rowing final, Paris 2024
Gold: Marloes Oldenburg, Hermijntje Drenth, Tinka Offereins and Benthe Boonstra, Netherlands
Silver: Helen Glover, Esme Booth, Sam Redgrave and Rebecca Shorten, Great Britain
Bronze: Jackie Gowler, Phoebe Spoors, Davina Waddy and Kerri Williams, New Zealand