Eights, Men

East Germany had won the coxed eights event at the last two editions of the Summer Olympics, but had lost the last two World Championships to New Zealand. Its absence from the 1984 Games due to the Soviet-led boycott made the New Zealanders strong favorites in the event although, no longer having to contend with teams from the Eastern Bloc, the United States was also poised to return to its former glory as Olympic champion, having already won the event at the 1983 Pan American Games. Indeed, in the opening round, it was these two nations who won their heats, although the Canadians, bronze medalists at the most recent Pan American Games, posted a faster time than the crew from the United States. The final was arguably the most exciting of the men’s rowing events: Canada and the United States were neck-and-neck for nearly the entire race with the Canadians, who had come second in both their round one and repêchage heats, edging out the Americans for the gold medal by a mere 0.42 seconds. Australia, meanwhile, the 1983 World bronze medalists, outperformed the New Zealanders and earned bronze. It was Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in rowing since George Hungerford and Roger Jackson had won the coxless pairs event in 1964.