MATT Gotrel has the world at his feet and its rowers in the palm of his hands after winning his first Olympic title, according to two-time medallist Alex Partridge.
A member of Great Britain’s men’s eight, 27-year-old Gotrel and his crewmates cruised to gold at Rio’s Lagoa Stadium, crossing the line just ahead of the German boat which had been anticipated to give the Brits a tighter battle for that illustrious gold medal.
The victory was the first time a British boat had won the eight since Sydney 2000, and was Gotrel’s first Olympic medal having already claimed two World titles as well as European silver and bronze since making his senior GB debut in 2012.
And according to Partridge, who won silver and bronze in Beijing and London respectively, Gotrel and the rest of the boat should take immense pride from their achievements on the greatest sporting stage of all.
“I think the men’s eight is possibly the hardest race in the men’s rowing programme at the moment,” he said.
“It’s got the strongest crews and the strongest depth across the field, and there were four boats that could have potentially won that race.
“The crew that showed up in the heats really showed up on the day of the final, and I had absolutely every faith that they would put in a huge performance.
“It’s the first time we have won gold in both the four and the eight since Sydney 2000, and that is a phenomenal result in any stretch of the woods.
“To do it twice, it’s hats off to the team and to the guys, and it’s hats off to Jurgen Grobler, the head coach.”
Invesco Perpetual is the proud supporter of Leander Club, the most successful rowing club in the world, with 123 Olympic and one Paralympic rowing medals won by its members since 1908.
