Great Britain coxswain Henry Fieldman has made Olympics history in Paris as he became the first person to earn a medal in both men's and women's events.
The 36-year-old previously competed as a cox for Team GB in the men's eights in Tokyo in 2021, where he achieved a bronze medal for his efforts. Fast forward three years and he repeated the feat for the women's eights - with men allowed to assume the role in the boat after a rule change in 2017.
Eventually it was Romania who reigned victorious in the event in the French capital, with Canada's team eventually earning the silver medal after a closely fought contest. Despite Team GB putting up a courageous fight for the runners-up position, they had to settle for a third-placed finish.
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The efforts of rowers Heidi Long, Rowan McKellar, Holly Dunford, Emily Ford, Lauren Irwin, Eve Stewart, Harriet Taylor and Annie Campbell-Orde earned the British their 28th medal of the Games so far. After contributing to the podium finish, the aforementioned cox Fieldman beamed with pride after earning a second Olympic medal of his career.
In addition to the Briton making a valuable contribution in France this summer, he appears to be determined to give something back to the sport. Having set up Coxing Consultancy, Fieldman helps to train up-and-coming talents in the discipline where he made his name.
Of his own approach to the role, he previously told NK Sports : "My style has probably evolved over time and adapts to the situation or crews I'm in. I try to continuously learn, be transparent with my intentions, promote honesty and proactivity, and blend encouragement, tuition, and a sense of accountability to get the most out of my crews and teams."
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He also opened up on his experience of getting into coxing, explaining: "My school coaches, Bobby Thatcher and Brian Young, sent me to London Rowing Club to get some extra coxing experience in the winter months while our team was in small boats. At the time London was the club to be at in the city with five or more eights out every weekend.
"I remember jumping into those boats and seeing people in front of me with union jacks on their hat or leggings and thinking 'how am I ever going to add to this experience when I'm coxing people who have represented Great Britain?'. You must get stuck in and expose yourself to the stressful stimuli to get comfortable and learn from it."
He added: "That would be my advice - you've got to seek out uncomfortable situations to learn and eventually become comfortable in them, so that you can then seek out and find the next uncomfortable situation and that's how we can really grow and develop."
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