Ondřej Synek's farewell race with his biggest rivals - video
International rowing will pay tribute to Czech rowing legend Ondřej Synek after the final race of the 2022 World Rowing Championships in what promises to be an exciting exhibition race. The three-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion in men's single sculls is indisputably one of the most successful Czech rowers of all time. Synek retired last year after announcing he would not compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In honor of this, the World Rowing (International Rowing Federation) and the Organizing Committee of the 2022 World Rowing Championships will organize a short exhibition competition with Ondřej and his five main rivals, who are also the biggest legends of the past two decades and close friends of Synek.
The 500m race will take place on Sunday, September 25 at 15:05 CET .
You can find the video of the competition here at the end of the article.
The six legendary riders:
Ondřej Synek (CZE) is a five-time world champion in men's sculls and has won two Olympic silver medals and one bronze medal in the same boat class. He is often referred to as the most successful sculler, but he never won Olympic gold. Synek retired in September 2021.
Alan Campbell (GBR) is a four-time Olympian, bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics in men's sculls. Three-time World Championship medalist and three-time Henley Royal Regatta winner in the Diamond Challenge Sculls (men's) single sculls category. He retired after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Olaf Tufte (NOR) is the recipient of the 2021 Thomas Keller Memorial Medal, the highest honor in rowing. Seven-time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist: gold medalist in 2004 and 2008 in men's single sculls, silver and bronze medalist in men's double sculls in 2000 and 2016. He retired after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Mahe Drysdale (NZL) is a two-time Olympic champion in men's sculls in 2012 and 2016, and an Olympic bronze medalist in 2008. He also has eight world championship medals in this boat class, five of which are gold, and he is also the winner of the Henley Royal Regatta. He retired in June 2021.
Iztok Čop (SLO) is a six-time Olympian and has won 15 world and Olympic medals: five of them in men's sculls. In 2015, he also received the Thomas Keller Memorial Medal, the sport's highest honor. He retired after the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Lassi Karonen (SWE) had an 11-year international career in men's sculls and is a two-time Olympic A-finalist. He retired after the 2012 London Olympic Games.
As an interesting fact, we would also like to mention that Cop, Drysdale, Campbell competed in Filippi, while Synek, Tufte and Karonen competed in Empacher during their active years.
The race can be watched here:
Source: worldrowing.com
