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australian rowers profiles and history

Paul Thompson MBE

Canberra Rowing Club (ACT) / Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC) / Torrens Rowing Club (SA)

1982- World Junior Championships- Men's Coxless Pair bow- Fourth

1984- Trans Tasman Under 23 Series Australian Men's Sweep

1985- Interstate Men's Eight Championship two seat- First

1985- Trans Tasman Under 23 Series Australian Men's sweep

1985- Match des Seniors- Men's Eight four seat- Silver

1987- Interstate Men's Eight Championship SA seven seat - Fifth

1987- World University Games- Men's Pair

1988- Interstate Men's Eight Championship (NSW) two seat - Third

1988-90- AIS apprentice coach

1991- World Championships- Women's Four coach- Eighth

1991- World Championships- Women's Pair coach- Eighth

1991- World Championships- Women's Eight coach - Twelfth

1992- Olympic Games- Women's Coxless Four coach- Sixth

1993- Interstate Women's Four Championship coach- Second

1993- World Championships- Women's Four coach- Sixth

1994- World Championships- Women's Pair coach- Bronze

1994- World Championships- Women's Eight coach - Sixth

1994- World Championships- Women's Four coach- Bronze

1995- Interstate Women's Four Championship coach - Third

1995- World Championships- Women's Pair coach- Gold

1995- World Championships- Women's Four coach- Fourth

1995- World Championships- Women's Eight coach - Eighth

1996- Olympic Games- Women's Coxless Pair coach- Gold

1997- World Championships- Women's Pair coach- Fourth

1998- World Championships- Women's Eight coach- Fourth

1998- World Championships- Women's Pair coach - Seventh

1999- World Championships- Women's Pair coach - Bronze

2000- Olympic Games- Women's Coxless Pair coach - Silver


Above: Paul Thompson with his 1996 Olympic Champion pair reflecting on their win away from the crowds

Paul Thompson is an Australian rowing coach who has coached World and Olympic Champions for both Great Britain and Australia. Paul has participated in 7 Olympic Games from Barcelona to Rio. He has coached a medal winning boat at the last 6 Olympic Games.

Paul has coached at every senior World Championships or Olympic Games since 1991, during this time he has personally coached 21 boats to world championship or Olympic medals. Highlights include coaching Australia's Kate Slatter and Megan Still to Olympic success in the coxless pair in Atlanta and Great Britain's Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins to 3 undefeated seasons winning 2 world championships and the Olympic Games in London.

Paul has been the Head Coach for Great Britain's Women and Lightweights squad since 2004, since then the squad has won 45 medals at the World Championships including 17 gold medals. Over the Beijing, London and Rio Olympics the squad has won 11 medals including 5 gold.

In 2007 Paul was the International Rowing Federations (FISA) Coach of the Year. Amongst other awards he has twice been inducted into the Sports Coach UK Hall of Fame and twice received the Mussabini Medal for outstanding success on the world stage. His accomplishments were also recognised with a University of Canberra Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 and in 2017 he was inducted into the ACT Sports Hall of Fame. Paul has also authored 2 books and produced a DVD on rowing.

In 2000 Paul received the Australian Sports Medal and in 2013 was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to rowing and the 2012 Olympic Games.

He is one of the world's great coaches and sadly, permanently based in the UK.

 

Compiled by Andrew Guerin


 

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