VAIRES-SUR-MARNE, France — A Journey of Redemption for America’s Olympic Rowing Team
The aftermath of the Tokyo Olympics was anything but sweet for America’s rowing team, marking an unprecedented moment in U.S. sports history. For the first time in 108 years, American rowers returned home from the Olympics without a single medal. This disappointment was particularly painful for the women’s eight, a crew that had dominated the rowing world from 2006 to 2016, clinching every major title and securing three consecutive gold medals. Now, they faced the daunting task of rebuilding their legacy with three years to regroup before the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
As the Olympic regatta concluded on Saturday, one stark realization emerged: reclamation in sports is a complex and arduous process. The harsh reality of the Olympic medal table loomed large, reminding everyone involved that time was ticking down to another chance for glory.
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This time around, the American team managed to secure two medals, with the men’s eight winning a bronze medal on Saturday, just two days after the men’s four clinched gold. While this was undoubtedly an improvement, it fell short of the aspirations held by the athletes and coaches who were already looking ahead to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of competing on home soil in 2028.
The anticipation for the Los Angeles Games has been palpable among American athletes, many of whom have yet to decide whether to retire. A clear example of this forward-thinking attitude can be found in the leadership of U.S. Rowing, where officials and athletes alike are determined to restore the program to its former glory. “I could be proud, but I’m Dutch,” remarked Josy Verdonkschot, who assumed the role of USRowing’s high-performance chief in 2022. “To compete with the top teams, we have to improve, which is essentially what makes this endeavor exciting. If there isn’t a challenge, it loses its appeal.”
Staying true to his commitment, Verdonkschot refrained from excessive self-congratulation after the men’s eight secured their bronze medal. While every medal holds significance, the men’s eight is regarded as the flagship event of the rowing program, and making it back to the medal stand was crucial. “Movies are made, and best-selling books are written about these boats,” he noted. Yet, amid the celebration, he felt a blend of pride and disappointment, acknowledging that the goal had been to secure two to four medals. “We could have done better,” he admitted.
Recognizing the need for a robust strategy, Verdonkschot is developing a comprehensive plan that encompasses both the short-term and long-term goals. This plan includes enhancing interactions between the national teams, collegiate programs, and club rowing, creating employment opportunities for rowers off the water, and establishing additional training centers.
However, the success of this rebuilding effort ultimately rests on the shoulders of the athletes themselves. They must cultivate a culture where success breeds success, a process that began shortly after the disappointing Tokyo performance. On Friday morning, Jessica Thoennes, who finished just shy of the podium in the women’s pairs, shared an inspiring narrative from the months following Tokyo. A group of about a dozen returning women committed to uplifting one another, whether it meant joining early morning training sessions or offering words of encouragement and support. “There’s this great quote,” Thoennes said. “Being kind is when you do something for somebody who can do nothing for you.” This ethos has become foundational to the new direction of U.S. rowing.
This spirit of camaraderie transcended gender lines. Michelle Sechser, who reached the finals but ultimately finished sixth in the lightweight double sculls, recounted her experience training alongside male rowers in preparation for Paris. “Every endurance sport has its moments of drudgery,” she noted, referring to the rigorous training that rowing demands. “Having training partners can be pivotal in overcoming slumps, fatigue, and injuries.”
Meghan Musnicki, a 41-year-old veteran of the program, expressed her admiration for the increasing competitiveness in women’s sports. “It’s incredible to be part of this evolution,” she said after finishing fifth. “That said, it can be soul-crushing to face the harsh realities of competition.” Though Musnicki may not compete in Los Angeles, her contributions to the sport remain significant.
On the other hand, the men’s eight consisted mainly of Olympic newcomers, with only Clark Dean having participated in the Tokyo Games. The unique challenges posed by the pandemic had disrupted training leading up to those Games, but Dean noted that this new cycle felt markedly different, fueled by the disappointment of Tokyo. “We pushed our limits in ways I’ve never experienced before,” he shared. “Many of us have never trained this intensely, pushing ourselves to the brink of injury and illness week after week.”
Looking ahead, Verdonkschot is committed to maintaining this intense training regimen. He arrived in the U.S. after a successful tenure in the Netherlands and Belgium, where he helped develop champions over two decades. His initial assessments reveal a wealth of athletic talent and a robust collegiate system, yet he also identified significant hurdles. “The sheer size of the country and the multitude of athletes make it challenging to unify everyone under a single training program,” he explained. While the college system is beneficial for scouting prospects, it complicates the process of testing and developing them to elite standards due to their academic commitments.
To address these challenges, Verdonkschot is focused on creating a clear development pathway, establishing standardized benchmarks that all athletes, regardless of their training location, must achieve to qualify for the national team. He is also seeking a suitable high-altitude training location, potentially in Colorado or near Flagstaff, Arizona, to mirror the practices of the world’s best teams.
His primary goal, however, is to persuade the athletes who competed in Paris to continue their journey for another four years, even if it means balancing full-time work with rigorous training. The acceptance of remote work post-pandemic has eased some of this burden, but convincing Ivy League graduates with lucrative career options can be a tough sell. Fortunately, Saturday’s bronze medal has bolstered his argument. “We’re definitely building towards something,” said Nick Rusher, a 2023 Yale graduate and member of the men’s eight. “We have the potential to win multiple gold medals in L.A., especially on home soil.”
(Top photo of the U.S. men’s eight team celebrating their bronze medal showing Saturday: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)
