Eights, Women

Canada was the defending gold medalist in the women’s eight but Romania had won the last two World Championships. Until the mid-to-late 2010s, the United States had dominated this event internationally, winning Olympic gold in 2008, 2012, and 2016, and every World Championship from 2005-2016.

Only seven boats started the event, so the heats and repêchage served only to eliminate one boat from the final, which was Denmark.

Romania won the women’s eight, taking the lead early and gradually pulling away throughout the race. This was the fourth victory in the event for Romania at the Olympics, but their first since they won three consecutive gold medals in 1996-2004. This gave Romania 10 medals in the event, the most of any nation. Ancuța Bodnar won her third Olympic medal for Romania. She had won silver in double sculls earlier in the Paris regatta, and was in the gold medal crew in double sculls at Tokyo 2020.

Canada took the silver medal, a boat length behind Romania at the line. This gave Canada six medals in the event, equal second with the United States, which finished fifth in the final. Great Britain battled with Canada for most of the race for the silver/bronze, but lost ground in the final 500 metres and settled for bronze.