Vaires-sur-Marne, France — August 1, 2024 — In a moment of historic triumph, the U.S. men’s coxless four crew clinched their first Olympic gold medal since 1960 at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The crew, consisting of Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, Justin Best, and Nick Mead, delivered a spectacular performance in the 2,000-meter men’s four final, narrowly edging out New Zealand for the top spot on the podium.
The victory marked a significant achievement for U.S. rowing, as it was the first time the men’s four crew has stood atop the Olympic podium in over six decades. The last time the U.S. won gold in this event was during the Rome 1960 Olympics when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
Historic Win and Emotional Moments
Best, who struggled to contain his emotions, expressed the overwhelming nature of the win, saying, “The words exist, I think, but I can’t put them together right now about how that feels.” Corrigan, a Harvard and Oxford graduate who stroked the boat, described the experience as surreal. “I crossed the line, and I thought I was going to have some kind of celebration. But it was just disbelief. My hands were on my head. It felt like a dream, it was crazy.”
The crew’s journey to gold seemed possible after a strong showing at the 2023 World Championships, where they secured silver, finishing 2.02 seconds behind Great Britain. In Paris, the U.S. boat demonstrated its resolve and tactical prowess in the final.
A Tactical Masterclass
The race was highly competitive, with the U.S. crew initially maintaining a lead. However, New Zealand made a significant push at the 600-meter mark, closing in on the Americans. The crowd roared as New Zealand gained ground, but the U.S. crew executed a decisive plan. Corrigan called for a “red” maneuver, a signal for an intense sprint.
Best explained the significance of the call, “You know when he makes that call, you see red. You put your bow ball out in front, you take some of the bigger strokes that you take in the race. It’s not necessarily the smartest race plan, but it’s something psychology-wise, you can take two to three seats.” This strategy allowed the U.S. crew to fend off New Zealand’s challenge and secure the gold.
In the final sprint, Corrigan increased the stroke rate to an impressive 45 strokes per minute. The U.S. crew crossed the finish line in 5:49.03, 0.85 seconds ahead of New Zealand. Great Britain finished third, 3.39 seconds behind.
Team Dynamics and Preparation
Coach Casey Galvanek noted the crew’s consistent performance throughout their training, stating, “They would have a good start, execute, settle, carry the momentum, and that has put them in that position typically. So I didn’t think they were going to just fade away. It was well executed.”
The bond and experience among the crew members played a crucial role in their success. Corrigan, Grady, Best, and Mead have rowed together for two years, a significant duration compared to the typical yearly selections in U.S. rowing. Their extensive experience rowing together, including in junior and collegiate events, helped them develop a deep trust and unity.
Corrigan reflected on the team’s dynamic, saying, “There’s so much trust that’s developed in that amount of time. You feel like one unit, like it doesn’t feel like four people; it feels like one boat.”
Motivation and Legacy
The crew’s motivation was fueled by their near-podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Best revealed that he would watch recordings of their fourth-place finish to stay motivated during tough training sessions. “All of a sudden, when you’re tired and you don’t want to go to that training or you can’t go out and have fun with your friends on a Friday night, you watch that recording, and all of a sudden, everything becomes a lot easier.”
Their dedication and commitment paid off, culminating in an Olympic gold medal that serves as a lasting reminder of their hard work and perseverance. Best summed up the experience, saying, “Now we have a physical reminder of everything that we put in,” as he clutched his Olympic gold medal. “And we’ll have this for the rest of our lives.”
With this historic victory, the U.S. men’s four has not only achieved a long-awaited Olympic triumph but also set a new standard in rowing excellence.
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