rowing
The Germany eight missed his big goal of gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and took silver on Friday (July 30th, 2021). The German parade boat had to admit defeat in the final New Zealand, bronze went to Great Britain.
Germany, Rio Olympic champions Great Britain and the Netherlands entered the race as big favorites on the Sea Forest Waterway. But in the end New Zealand triumphed in 5: 24.64 minutes – despite a great final sprint from Germany’s eighth (5: 25.60). The British took 5: 25.73 minutes.
Thrilling and high-class finale
After 500 meters, the Germany eight had still led the field, and a thrilling and high-class final of the best three teams developed as a result. Germany went into the final 500 meters as third and attacked again. But it wasn’t enough to jump to first place.
The team of national coach Uwe Bender in the line-up Johannes Weißenfeld, Laurits Follert, Olaf Roggensack, Torben Johannesen, Jakob Schneider, Malte Jakschik, Richard Schmidt, Hannes Ocik and helmsman Martin Sauer had recently won gold at the World Cup three times in a row. The Germany eighth had a disappointing start to the Olympic year with fourth place at the EM in the spring, but had improved significantly in the following World Cups. Last Friday was eight entered the finals with a convincing performance.
Second medal for the DRV in Tokyo
For the German Rowing Association (DRV), the silver in the figure eight was the second medal in Japan at the end of the competitions. It was the first game since Beijing 2008 without a German rowing gold. Most recently, the German flagship won gold at the Summer Games in London in 2012.