ROWING: Following Australia’s glory days of rowing in the coxless fours, current team members James Chapman, Will Lockwood and Josh Dunkley-Smith know that they have big shoes to fill, should their fellow crewman Drew Ginn decide to step down after 20 years in the sport.

Ginn is yet to make a decision on his future, but at the age of 37, the departure of Australia’s last active member of the ‘oarsome foursome’ that won gold in Atlanta, is something that is likely to become a reality.

Under the guidance of Ginn, the men’s four achieved a silver medal in a clincher that went to Great Britain on the final day of rowing at Eton Dorney on Saturday and they remain hopeful that they will be able to continue the legacy that has been left behind by those before them.

“You have an idea of the people who’ve come before you, not just Drew but Nick (Green) and past members of the team,” Lockwood said.

“It’s about their legacy you feel as through you’ve got to protect that and absorb it as much as you can.

“There are a lot of young guys in this team and to learn as much as you can and bring that forward it our reposonsibility and that’s part of our advantage as well, we have a lot of knowledge and history (in this team) and to be a part of that, keep it going and take it forward is a big part of what we should do in the next four years.”

The boys admitted that having the opportunity to work with an athlete of Ginn’s calibre has been invaluable to their own growth as rowers.

“He’s won three gold medals prior to these Games. He knows what it takes to step up to be the best in the world...and it’s been an advantage to be able to prepare with someone...who knows how to get there,” Chapman said.

“He is one of those guys who sets such a high standard for himself and the people around him, so when you come into the crew to compete at an Olympic Games you know you are going to be preparing to the highest possible standard and that’s in absolutely anything you do.

“Hopefully one day soon, the other three of us will also know how to get there.”

Lucy Rowles in London
olympics.com.au