American Rowing Quintet Qualifies for Paris Olympics

The American rowing quintet of Kara Kohler, Jessica Thoennes, Azja Czajkowski, Oliver Bub, and Bill Bender have secured their spots on the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team after dominating their respective finals at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials in Sarasota. The talented athletes will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills and discover the beauty of a Paris fall at the upcoming Olympic Games.

Kohler, a seasoned rower who previously competed at the 2020 Tokyo Games, claimed victory in the women’s single sculls event with an impressive time of 8:04.01, leaving her competitors in the dust. Thoennes and Czajkowski teamed up to win the women’s pair race, while Bub and Bender secured their tickets to Paris by triumphing in the men’s pair event.

These three boats were the only ones guaranteed immediate berths in the rowing competition at the Paris Games, set to take place from July 27 to August 4. The other winners at the trials will have the opportunity to compete at the World Rowing Final Olympic & Paralympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, with a chance to qualify for Paris. The final Olympic team will be announced on June 7.

For Kohler, this victory marks a significant milestone in her career, as she has been striving to make an Olympic team for the past four attempts. Despite facing setbacks in the past, she is determined to make the most of this opportunity and deliver a stellar performance in Paris.

Similarly, Thoennes and Czajkowski’s partnership has proven to be successful, with both athletes overcoming challenges to secure their spots on the Olympic team. Their resilience and positive mindset have propelled them to achieve their dream of representing the U.S. on the world stage.

As for Bub and Bender, their hard work and dedication have paid off, with both athletes realizing their childhood dreams of competing at the Olympics. Despite facing tough weather conditions during the trials, they remained focused and trusted their fitness to secure their spots on the team.

The American rowing quintet is now gearing up to make their mark at the Paris Games and showcase their talent on the international stage. With their determination and passion for the sport, these athletes are ready to take on the challenge and make their country proud.