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Mervyn Wood

Police Rowing Club (NSW)

1936- Olympic Games- Men's Eight five seat- eliminated in repechage

1937- Interstate Men's Eight Championship five seat- Second

1938- Interstate Men's Eight Championship- Second

1939- Interstate Men's Eight Championship- Second

1946- Interstate Men's Single Sculls- First in row over

1947- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1948- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1948- Marlow Regatta Single Sculls- First

1948- Henley Royal- Diamond Scull- First

1948 - Olympic Games- Single Scull- Gold

1949- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1950- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1950- British Empire Games- Single Sculls- Gold

1950- British Empire Games- Double Sculls stroke- Gold

1950- Philadelphia Cup- Single Sculls- First

1951- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1952- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship- First

1952- Marlow Regatta- Single Sculls- First

1952- Henley Royal- Diamond Sculls- First

1952- Olympic Games- Single Scull- Silver

1954- British Empire & Commonwealth Games- Double Scull stroke- Gold

1954- British Empire & Commonwealth Games- Men's Coxed Four bow - Gold

1955- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship - First

1956- Interstate Men's Sculling Championship - Second

1956- Australian Test Races- Double Scull- First

1956- Olympic Games- Double Scull with Murray Riley- Bronze

1958- Australian Test Races- Double Scull- First

1958- British Empire & Commonwealth Games- Double Scull stroke- Silver

1958- Henley Royal- Men's Double Scull

1958- British Empire & Commonwealth Games grading committee

1952 Olympic Games

1952 Henley Royal Regatta Final

Merv enjoyed a superb rowing record and is one of the greatest rowers ever produced by Australia. He was the first rower to attend three Olympic Games, the first to win medals in two classes of boat and the only rower to have been the flag bearer for Australia at the Opening Ceremony. He has not only done this once, but twice, both at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games. After winning bronze at the Melbourne Games, he said that at 39 years old he was too old to race at top level any more. However he managed to win again at the Commonwealth Games in 1958.

Andrew Guerin 2004

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.