British rower Henry Fieldman etched his name in the history books on Saturday, becoming the first athlete to win Olympic medals in both men’s and women’s events. Fieldman steered Great Britain’s Women’s Eight rowing team to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, adding to his bronze medal from the men’s eight event at Tokyo 2020.
This remarkable feat is a testament to Fieldman’s exceptional talent and versatility. His journey began in Tokyo where he claimed bronze with the men’s team. In 2016, World Rowing introduced a rule change allowing coxes of either sex to steer the eight-person rowing boats, the only boats still using coxes at Olympic regattas. This rule change opened up opportunities for athletes like Fieldman, enabling them to compete across genders.
At Paris 2024, Fieldman’s skill and leadership guided the British women’s team to a podium finish. Their bronze medal was a testament to their hard work and dedication, with Canada taking silver and Romania securing gold. Fieldman’s dual-gender medal achievement marks a significant milestone in rowing history, inspiring future generations of athletes to break barriers and pursue their passions regardless of gender.
