Mahe Drysdale to race against old rival

New Zealand rowing great Mahe Drysdale will take part in an exhibition race at next week’s World Championships in the Czech Republic to honour one of the countries favourite athletes Ondrej Synek.

Drysdale and Synek
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Synek, a three-time Olympic medallist and five-time World Rowing Champion in the men’s single sculls, retired last year.

Synek has arguably been one of the most successful Czech rowers of all time.

To honour him, World Rowing and the Organising Committee of the 2022 World Rowing Championships will put on a short exhibition race with Ondrej and five of his main rivals.

Drysdale won five world titles and two Olympic titles.

Drysdale and Synek were great rivals between the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

The 500-meter race will take place on Sunday, 25 September in Racice following the last of the World Championship races.

The six legendry scullers will be:

Ondrej Synek (CZE), five-time World Champion in the men’s single sculls and holds two Olympic silver and one bronze medals to his name in the same boat class. He is often stated as the most successful single sculler to have never won an Olympic Gold medal. Synek retired in September 2021.

Alan Campbell (GBR), four-time Olympian, with an Olympic bronze in the men’s single sculls from London 2012. He is also a three-time World Championships medallist, and three-time Henley Royal Regatta winner in the Diamond Challenge Sculls (men’s single sculls category). He retired after the Rio 2016 Oympic Games.

Olaf Tufte (NOR), the recipient of the 2021 Thomas Keller Medal, the highest award given in the sport. He is a seven-time Olympian, and four-time Olympic medallist: gold in the men’s single sculls in 2004 and 2008, silver and bronze in the men’s double sculls in 2000 and 2016. He retired after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Mahe Drysdale (NZL), two-time Olympic Champion in the men’s single sculls in 2012 and 2016, and Olympic Bronze medallist in 2008. He also holds eight World Championships medals in this boat class, five of which are gold, and he is also a Henley Royal Regatta winner. He retired in June 2021.

Iztok Cop (SLO), six-time Olympian, and holds a total of 15 World and Olympic medals, five of which are in the men’s single sculls. He is also the 2015 recipient of the Thomas Keller Medal, the highest award given in the sport. He retired following the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Lassi Karonen (SWE) has an 11-year international career in the men’s single sculls and is a two-time A-Finalist at the Olympic Games. He retired after the London 2012 Olympic Games.