Paris 2024 Rowing: Oliver Zeidler dominates men's single sculls final - full results
Picture by Francois Nel/Getty Images
Germany's Oliver Zeidler dominated the men's single sculls race on the final day of the rowing regatta at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Saturday (3 August), with Yauheni Zalaty winning silver, and Simon van Dorp of Netherlands taking bronze.
The emotions that had been held in check all week by Zeidler finally spilled over as the reigning world champion added Olympic gold to his collection at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The three-time world champion had already set an Olympic Record in the semi-finals in a time of 6:35.77, beating the previous mark of 6:40.45 set by the defending Olympic champion, Stefanos Ntouskos at the Tokyo Games. The Greek finished sixth.
Zeidler's grandfather, Hans-Johann Faerber won two Olympic medals in rowing for West Germany in the coxed fours with gold in 1972 and bronze in 1976, so Olympic medals are quite the family affair.
The gold for Germany is the first title since 1992 in this event and the first medal overall since 2000 for the nation.
"I was pretty fresh after 1,000 metres, I saw Simon try something and I was able to respond. I felt super good as I went on the last 500 metres," said Zeidler. "The crowd was there and I was just flying over the water. It was such a cool race.
"I didn't feel any pain, which is rare for a rowing race. I was just so focused on my plan and I delivered today."
Zalaty claimed silver and Netherlands' bronze was the first medal since 1968 in this discipline.
Men’s single sculls rowing final, Paris 2024
Gold: Oliver Zeidler (GER)
Silver: Yauheni Zalaty (AIN)
Bronze: Simon Van Dorp (NED)
Related content