FORMER Evesham Rowing Club star and double Olympic champion Alex Gregory has announced his retirement from rowing.
The 32-year-old former Prince Henry’s High School student confirmed he would be hanging up his oars for good last Friday (January 6) 12 years after pulling on his Great Britain for the first time.
Born in Wormington, near Broadway, Gregory began his career at Evesham Rowing Club in 2000, where he then trained on the River Avon for the next five years.
He joined Team GB in 2004 and went on to win five world championship gold medals, and back-to-back gold medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016 in the Men’s Coxless Four event.
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to pursue something I love for so long. Rowing has taught me so much about myself and those around me,” Gregory said.
“Through the continued support of the GB Rowing Team, family and friends I found a way to reach my goals.
“I will miss being a part of something very rare and very special, especially in this incredibly successful era of British Olympic sport. It has been a privilege to represent my country in rowing and I’ll hold onto this time with very fond memories.
“I’ve only ever felt supported on my rowing journey so to coaches who have pushed and guided me, friends who have encouraged and understood me, public who have continually sent messages of support, crew mates who have pulled me across the line and family who have never faltered – thank you.”
Sir David Tanner, British Rowing’s Performance Director, said: “Alex has been the consummate team player and crew maker in his stellar career.
“He was ‘found’ in the early days of the GB Rowing Team’s Start Programme by coach, Mark Earnshaw, and emerged as a top senior talent after the 2008 Beijing Games where he was a reserve and got his real Olympic inspiration.
“Since then has been twice Olympic Champion and a multi World and European Champion alongside building a family of 3 children with his partner Emily who has been a wonderful support to him and us.”
