This amazing group of women trains in London and I, definitely a non-athlete, was privileged to join them for a training session during these final weeks before the games in Rio. Everything was new to me: the awesome sight of superbly conditioned women, the long racing shells housed in an immense shed on Fanshawe Lake, and the collection of coaches, trainers, rowers, and coxswains milling about the long boat shed. This particular training session was a practice in racing and so following a warm up run and briefing by the coach, John Keough, the eight rowers and their coxswain embarked in their 96 Kilogram shell and I joined John in his launch.
The session consisted of some timed races and other random exercises which were a mystery to me. As the Team rowed under the direction of Lesley Thompson-Willie, their competent coxswain, the Coach would use his megaphone from time to time, to issue instructions or comment on technique. I was fascinated by the John’s ability to observe the technique of both the team and each woman. He would advise the crew to “jump” with each stroke of the oar, or perhaps advise a rower to use shoulder or leg muscles more efficiently. The weather on this day was considered to be good – unhampered by wind or rain. But the effects of 30-degree C. temperature and intense physical effort was reflected in the thirsty, perspiring, and exhausted looking rowers. The use of technology was impressive. John used his stop watch and laptop computer to gather data about the movement of the racing shell. In addition, each of the eight oarlocks had a connection transmitting information about the strokes of the eight rowers which was displayed on the computer screen as a block of eight waves, rather like a series of electrocardiogram waves. All of the biomechanical data about the speed, stroke rate, acceleration, and force of the boat and rowers is viewed on the coach’s computer screen. It is later analyzed and studied by the coaching staff and crew. The synchronous actions of rowers were remarkable. At times, they seemed to be moving as one body rather than as eight individuals, producing a palpable sense of unity to both the rowers and observers.
The Canadian women’s eight team has an enviable record of winning medals in four of the last six summer Olympics; they hope to match or exceed the silver medal won in the London Olympics in 2012. And so I was curious about the collective rowers, coxswain, and coach who comprised this remarkable team. John speaks with the directness of a native Australian which might seem harsh to a polite Canadian. Yet his unexpected pause to advise a solo rower practicing on the Lake about correcting the rower’s form in order to improve efficient use of muscles and reduce back strain revealed kindness which sourced his behavior. He also has the courage to speak honestly and to make the hard decisions about selecting or deselecting team members. The eight women rowers have lived closely connected to each other in years of training. Each is physically fit, mentally alert, and totally focused. To function as a team, they have learned to accept and value each other, to overlook pettiness and to sacrifice self-interest for the benefit of the team. The eight women have a desire for perfection which drives their relentless effort, opens their hearts to the pain falling short and yields emotional vulnerability which transforms criticism into stinging wounds. These athletes possess the quality of endurance.
Our Olympic rowers are supported by many other individuals and organizations. One Western alumnus, Tom Whealey and the Davis family, have donated a large sum of money annually since 2007. Part of this money provides a healthy breakfast on each day of training. Agnico Eagle Mines provides gold for the Olympic rings given to each rower. The Government of Canada provides support to athletes in search of jobs or education. And yet, there is always a need for more financial support.
It was a privilege to observe our Women’s Eight training at Fanshawe Lake. In my view they deserve our confidence and well wishes as they conclude their training and head to Rio to compete in the Olympic games.
Pat McKeon, CSJ