Oliver Zeidler’s rowing triumph in Paris makes up for the bitter drama in Tokyo. Now the dominator is already making plans to make history again in Los Angeles.
When the many tears of joy had dried for the time being, Oliver Zeidler was already planning his next big attack.
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In any case, he is “keen for more. Winning gold again at the Olympics would be one thing to finally write oneself into the history books,” emphasised the German rowing dominator after his “race for eternity” and Olympic victory in the water sports stadium in Vaires-sur-Marne.
But before he continued to think about the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the first German single sculls Olympic champion since Thomas Lange in 1992 had to let everything that had happened on that moving Saturday in the water sports stadium in Vaires-sur-Marne sink in. “I need another day or two to realise this. I’ve hardly been able to look at the medal so far,” Zeidler said on ZDF.
Zeidler thought about ending his career after drama in Tokyo
On this emotional final day, tears flowed repeatedly – mainly because of the enormous pressure that had suddenly been released. Because the damned semi-final in Tokyo, Zeidler now admitted, the run in which he had failed completely unexpectedly three years ago, had “almost broken him. After that, I had problems with motivation.” Thoughts about a possible end to his career even ran through his head.
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However, Zeidler pulled himself together and rewarded himself for his perseverance. “It’s just nice to be able to show something now: This is the reward,” said the three-time world and European champion with the longed-for Olympic gold medal around his neck: “I put everything I could into this medal.”
Special thanks to father and girlfriend
Zeidler dedicated his Olympic victory to his large rowing family, especially his father and coach Heino Zeidler, who accompanied him on his journey from swimmer to Olympic rowing champion. But also to his girlfriend Sofia Meakin, a Swiss rower, who gave him a blue bracelet, which Zeidler happily kissed after crossing the finish line.
“She gave me the ribbon for my birthday to show that she was there when I rowed,” said the 28-year-old – it helped. After the Summer Games, he will move to Switzerland with his partner, take his gold medal with him and certainly find a very special place for it.
“Let’s see,” said Zeidler, “what happens with it.”
