Rowing SA boss expects a medal in Paris

Representing South Africa in the men’s pair are John Smith, making his fourth Olympic appearance, and young talent Christopher Baxter. Paige Badenhorst will compete in the women’s sculls in her debut Olympics. SA rowing has a strong track record, having won gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games they added silver four years later in Rio and Kerr expects them to bring back another medal in Paris.

“We've got the men's pair, which we are hopeful we'll win a medal. This is John Smith's fourth Olympic Games, he won gold in London. Paige is a newcomer, and she will certainly surprise us, hoping for a top six finish which will be incredible given how recently she’s come into the senior team.”

Despite not winning a medal at the previous Games in Tokyo three years ago, Kerr remains optimistic. He believes in their potential and has set high expectations for the team heading to Paris.

“The team will kill me if they if they knew that I was committing them to a medal, but but I'm confident. John is a serious racer, and he knows how to win an Olympic gold medal, Chris is a World Cup Champion in his own right – so I have great hopes for the men’s pair.”

Kerr believes that the signs of rowing’s growth were evident back in 2012 at the London Olympic Games. At the time, the South African quartet team won gold, reaching a pinnacle of rowing success. Kerr adds that their achievement proved that they deserve recognition in the sport.

“Rowing in South Africa has always punched above its weight on the international stage, and we are a small federation. The gold medal in London certainly created an awareness about the sport of rowing to the general public, which was great. Also, Sizwe Ndlovu became the first black African to win a gold medal in rowing ever, which meant a lot for world rowing and South African rowing.”

Kerr revealed to SABC Sport that Smith will retire after his fourth Olympic Games appearance, and Rowing SA will find a suitable role for him going forward.

Meanwhile in the men’s coxed pair, 13 entries will compete for six lanes in the A final. The heats will start on 28 July, with the top three pairs advancing directly to the semi-final on 31 July. The women’s single scull event has 32 entries this year, with only six places available in the A final. The heats for this event will begin on 27 July.

READ: Team SA's top medal prospects at 2024 Olympic Games