Henry Fieldman, a British rowing icon, has etched his name in Olympic history as the first athlete to secure medals in both men’s and women’s events. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Fieldman steered Great Britain’s Women’s Eight to a bronze medal, adding to his previous bronze in the men’s event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Fieldman’s remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional skill, versatility, and unwavering dedication. The path to this historic feat was paved by a rule change implemented by World Rowing after the 2016 Rio Olympics, allowing coxes of either gender to helm the eights, the only boats requiring coxes in Olympic regattas.
Fieldman’s rowing journey began with inspiration from a fellow rower. He earned his first Great Britain vest at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in 2006, competing in the coxed four. His steady progression led him through the under-23 team to the senior team and ultimately to the Olympic stage.
At the 2023 European Championships in Bled, Fieldman showcased his adaptability by seamlessly transitioning between coxing the men’s and women’s eights. Despite limited training with the men’s team, he guided them to a narrow victory over Romania. He then returned to cox the women’s team to a silver medal behind the Romanian crew.
Fieldman’s Olympic debut came in Tokyo in 2020, where he coxed Great Britain’s men’s eight to a bronze medal. His impressive resume also includes two world championships in the men’s coxed pair and numerous European championship medals. In 2023, he led the British men’s eight to a gold medal while guiding the women’s crew to silver.
Fieldman’s historic achievement has not only broken barriers but also inspired future generations of rowers. He hopes that his success will pave the way for more women’s eights medals and greater achievements in the sport.
