Team GB’s Men’s Coxless Pair Claims Silver After Thrilling Finish at Paris 2024

In a dramatic conclusion to the men’s coxless pair final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team GB’s Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Tom George fell just short of gold, securing a well-fought silver medal. The race, held on Friday morning, saw the British duo come agonizingly close to the top spot but ultimately finish second by a narrow margin.

Wynne-Griffith and George delivered a strong performance, establishing an early lead over their competitors from Romania after the first 1000 meters. Their commanding position was impressive, but the final stretch of the race proved to be intensely competitive.

In a thrilling final 60 meters, Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinkovic made a remarkable surge, overtaking the British pair in the closing moments. The Croatians’ relentless charge allowed them to clinch gold with a time of 6:24.11, just 0.45 seconds ahead of Wynne-Griffith and George. Switzerland finished in third place.

The British pair’s silver medal is a testament to their exceptional effort and resilience throughout the race. Despite their best efforts, they were edged out by the Sinkovic brothers, who now boast three Olympic golds and a silver between them. The dramatic finish highlighted the high level of competition and the razor-thin margins in Olympic rowing.

After the race, an emotional Oliver Wynne-Griffith reflected on the outcome: “We had a great start and a strong first 1950 meters, but we were caught in the last few strokes. That’s the difference between winning and losing, unfortunately. We put in all those hours of training, and it’s tough to come so close but fall short.”

The pair, who were part of the GB men's eight that won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, had transitioned to the men’s pair after a year of studying and competing in the Boat Race at Cambridge. Coming into the Paris Games, they were unbeaten in 2024 and had recently claimed their first major title at the European Rowing Championships.

Team GB’s Oliver Wynne-Griffith and Tom George delivered an outstanding performance in the men’s coxless pair final at Paris 2024, narrowly missing out on gold but securing a proud silver medal. Their journey and dedication throughout the season were evident in their performance, and their achievement underscores the competitiveness and excitement of Olympic rowing.