11 Aug 2016
Lightweight Men's Four (LM4-) - Olympic Final
This final included the 2015 World Champions and 2016 European Champions, Switzerland. This crew was Switzerland’s rowing hope in Rio. There was also the 2008 and 2004 Olympic Champion Denmark. Then there was the 2016 World Rowing Cup series winners, New Zealand and first time a lightweight four had made it to the Olympics for their country. Then there was Italy, France, the 2000 Olympic Champions, and late Olympic call-up Greece.
The four middle crews – Denmark, Switzerland, Italy and France – got away the quickest with Denmark hitting the 500m mark first. France then got overtaken by New Zealand with margins remaining incredibly tight. Switzerland then edged ahead with Denmark holding on. There was nothing in it with less than three seconds separating the top five boats at the half way point. Switzerland’s Tramer, Schuerch, Niepmann and Gyr then began to pull away. Denmark’s Joergensen, Joergensen, Larsen and Barsoe were trying to hold on. Italy then poured on the power. But it was France that, at a lower rating were really pouring on the power. Solforosi, Baroukh, Raineau and Colard, rating 37 had closed on Denmark in 41 and Switzerland at 42.
Switzerland had done it. The crew had won the third ever Olympic gold for their nation in rowing and first since 1996. Denmark had silver to add to their 2012 bronze medal and France were back on the podium.
Results: SUI, DEN, FRA, ITA, NZL, GRE
Simon NIEPMANN (SUI) – gold
“Our dream has come true. Can’t explain it, it’s just great.”
Simon SCHUERCH (SUI) – gold
“It is great. It didn’t have the flow as last year in Aiguebelette, but just power, power, power. We worked toward this after London. We always said we wanted to win a medal, but after last year’s world Championships we said gold and, now it is gold.”
Jacob BARSOE (DEN) – silver
“We are a little bit disappointed that we didn’t manage to beat the Swiss. Over all we are very proud. We struggled with training and injuries over the last four years, so I am really proud of what we have done. He (Morten) struggled a lot with the over training and making it all come together. That is why we are both happy and emotional about this today.”
Morten JOERGENSEN (DEN) – silver
“It has been four very hard years. I thought we had the speed, we’ve seen some very good times in training. I thought maybe we could win. Ask me tomorrow and maybe I’ll be a bit happier.”
Thomas BAROUKH (FRA) – bronze
“It’s amazing. Bronze or any medal it feels like a dream, just amazing. It was a really tough race with the wind but we did a good job.
We were fourth in Beijing so it is great to make a medal a reality. We are very proud of it.”
Olympic B-final
Four of these crews were in the A-final at the 2016 European Rowing Championships in May. The United States and China made up the remaining boats. The United States got away the quickest with Olympic medallists from London, Great Britain in second. Then the British did a big push as the middle of the race came into view. That brought them into the lead with the Czech Republic moving into second. As the final sprint began, China unleashed an awesome sprint to row down the British. Great Britain held them off – but only just.
Results: GBR, CHN, GER, USA, NED, CZE