Rower with Old Lyme roots to compete in his second Olympics

OLD LYME, Conn. (WTNH) — Brian Corrigan knew his son Liam had something special on the water when he was just a high school freshman.

“Early on they recognized he can row well and he’s powerful … and I’ll credit the coaches here,” Brian Corrigan said.

Something special is happening in these waters at the Fred Emerson Boathouse in Old Lyme.

But first, let’s talk about 26-year-old Liam Corrigan, a rower prepping to head to the Olympics again. Yes, a second time.

“We’re so proud of you … so happy … that you’re getting to do this. He’s worked so hard,” Joan Corrigan said.

That’s Mom and Dad. You can hear the pride and emotion resonate through their voices. Both parents spoke with News 8 Investigative Reporter Jeff Derderian about their experiences and excitement about their son going to the Olympics.

“We’re very proud of Liam. We are very proud of the community for helping him. We didn’t get to see Tokyo because it was not available because of COVID,” Brian Corrigan said.

East Lyme is where Liam got his start after his high school basketball coach suggested rowing to stay in shape.

We asked about the commitment involved for an Olympian. Is it non-stop training, nutrition, and working out? Yes, yes, and yes, we were told.

Liam is not exactly an underachiever. He attended Harvard, was captain of the rowing team there, majored in physics, and then went to Oxford to get his master’s degree.

Liam will be in a four-man boat. This sport is all about precision and power, and there are no stars in it.

Liam’s mom said that after watching her son, she also fell in love with the sport.

“I said to myself, if it’s good for these kids, it’s also good for me. All the skills they’re learning, I can also learn,” she said.

Paul Fuchs, the Director of Rowing at the boathouse, said the road to the Olympics is long and hard.

“I think most people say rowing is one of the more physically demanding sports because it uses every part of your body,” Fuchs said.

The boathouse has a long, accomplished history of sending rowers to the Olympics every single time since 2004. You could say there must be something in the water.

Liam competes on July 28 and Aug. 1 at the Olympics in Paris.

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