Colin, Lord Moynihan

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexMale
Full nameColin Berkeley•Moynihan
Used nameColin, Lord•Moynihan
Born13 September 1955 in Ashtead, England (GBR)
Measurements153 cm / 50 kg
AffiliationsLeander Club, Henley-on-Thames (GBR)
Title(s)4th Baron Moynihan
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

The coxswain to the silver medal winning British rowing eight in the Moscow Olympics, his sporting career began at Monmouth School and flourished at University College, Oxford. He coxed the victorious Oxford crew in the 1977 Oxford-Cambridge boat race. Despite being a prospective candidate for Mrs. Thatcher’s Conservative party he rallied support against the decision of the Amateur Rowing Association to boycott the Moscow Games of 1980, a vote by the rowers themselves eventually overturning the decision. As well as a an Olympic silver he won a world championship silver medal in 1981 and represented Great Britain in the 1984 Games.

Elected to the British Parliament in 1983, it came as a surprise when he was appointed Minister for Sport in 1987; it was a post he was to hold for three years. Losing his place in the House of Commons following the 1992 general election, he started a career in business.

Moynihan was involved in a lengthy legal case following the death of his brother, the 3rd Baron Moynihan. He eventually won the legal right to the title of 4th Baron Moynihan when it was proved that other claimants did not have a legitimate claim to title. He is currently a member of the House of Lords and was the Shadow Minister of Sport from 2003-2005.

In 2005 he was elected chairman of the British Olympic Association.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1980 Summer Olympics Rowing GBR Colin, Lord Moynihan
Eights, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 2 Silver
1984 Summer Olympics Rowing GBR Colin, Lord Moynihan
Eights, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 5

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
Director London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2005— GBR Colin, Lord Moynihan
Chairman British Olympic Association 2005—2012 GBR Colin, Lord Moynihan

Special Notes