Despite receiving £27million of funding, Team GB failed to win a rowing gold medal in Tokyo. This is the first time since Moscow 1980 in which British rowers failed to secure a first-place finish in any of their races.
In 2008, 2012 and 2016, Team GB finished with the highest number of rowing medals.
James Cracknell, two-time Olympic gold medallist, expressed his thoughts in The Telegraph.
Cracknell, 49, started by challenging the ongoing argument about culture and commitment within the ranks.
He said: “There is no issue with the rowers’ commitment.
“This is a hugely motivated group. They will continue to drain themselves physically and mentally on the ergometers, and in their twice-daily sessions on the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake at Caversham, whether they are being shouted at or not.”
But Cracknell went on to argue he could not see many leaders in Team GB’s rowing squads.
“I do not see enough people thinking for themselves and taking ownership of their crew’s training, which is ultimately the basis for the boat’s performance,” he opined.
Cracknell, who won gold medals in the coxless four at both Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, believes a “teacher-pupil” relationship has emerged at Team GB’s rowing base at Caversham, near Reading.
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