Olivia Coffey helps USA Women’s Rowing to fifth place finish at Paris Olympics

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WETM) – Watkins Glen’s Olivia Coffey helped Team USA Women’s Rowing to another impressive Olympic result.

(Media Courtesy: US Rowing, File video)

Watkins Glen native Olivia Coffey and the United States Women’s Eight Rowing team took home 5th in Saturday’s Olympic Finals in Paris, France. Coffey and Team USA won Thursday’s repechage at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, turning in a 2,000 meter time of 6:03.93, to advance to the finals.

In the finals, Coffey and the American team finished their 2,000 meter race just 2 seconds (6:01.73) out of a podium spot. Additionally, USA’s time brought them 0.24 seconds short of the team’s best Olympic time in history. Below is a look at the top 5 from the Women’s Eight Final Race:

Gold: Romania – 5:54.39
Silver: Canada – 5:58.84
Bronze: Great Britain – 5:59.51
4th: Australia – 6:00.73
5th: United States – 6:01.73

This year’s result adds to a stellar career for Coffey, who was appearing in her 2nd consecutive Olympics, and is a 5-time world medalist (3 gold, 2 bronze). The 35-year-old rower last helped Team USA to a 4th place finish at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Sitting 2 seats away from Coffey on the Women’s Eight Team, was Ithaca College grad and 2-time Olympic gold medalist Meghan Musnicki.

On the men’s side, another athlete with local ties made a statement at the Paris Games. On Thursday, Cornell alumni Michael Grady helped the USA Four Men’s team to their 1st gold medal since 1960.

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