4 mins
Oliver Wynne-Griffith
Nationality
GBR
Height
198cm
School/high school/secondary school
Radley College
Club
CUBC
Undergraduate/graduate
Graduate
Previous university
Yale
Undergraduate course
Political Science
Graduate course
MBA
Cambridge college
Peterhouse
Why are you studying your course?
I want to expand my knowledge in the business world with a view to pivoting into management consultancy post the Paris 2024 Olympics
What is the most interesting part of your course?
The diversity of the cohort is unrivalled. It is a truly global group with such an extensive range of thought approaches. I find myself learning as much from fellow students as I do from classes.
Year you first started rowing
2007
Why/how did you get into rowing?
I started as a way to keep fit in the rugby off-season.
First rowing club
Radley College
Who is your rowing idol?
Tom Ransley
How do you balance rowing and academic life?
By doing whatever is necessary to get the job in hand done.
Who would be your dream team eight to row with from everyone in the history of rowing?
Pop me in the bows of that 2008 Canadian 8 -that thing had some serious heat under the hood.
Have you raced in the Boat Race before? If yes, when?
No
What is your rowing history, and what has been your biggest achievement so far?
Whilst at Radley College I won a junior world bronze in 2012. Whilst at Yale I was a three-time Ivy League champion (2015-2017), an IRA national champion (2017), and Yale/Harvard 4 miler winner (2015-2017). I first raced with the GB rowing team senior squad at the 2017 world cup regatta in Lucerne. I was selected for the men’s eight that finished sixth at the U23 world champs in 2014 and won a silver medal in the men’s eights at the same event in 2016. In my senior debut, I finished tenth in the men’s four at the world cup in Lucerne. I was selected as a spare for the 2017 world rowing championships in Sarasota-Bradenton, receiving the call to stroke the men’s four in their semi-final after Will Satch was struck by illness. We finished second in the race and went on to win bronze in the final, with Satch back in the stroke seat. As part of the men’s eight for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, I won three world cup silver medals, a European silver, two world championships bronze medals and a world cup gold. My biggest achievement so far was being part of the GB men’s eight in 2018-2021 and being an Olympic bronze medallist.
Have you ever been at school/university/on a team with anyone at ‘the other place’?
Yes. Charlie Elwes -we raced together at Radley, Yale and for GB in the men’s eight at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Your favourite race so far?
2015 Eastern Sprints final with Yale -it was the program’s first championship win since 1982.
What is the best place you have ever rowed?
Varese, Italy
Where would be your dream place to row?
Bled, Slovenia
What is your favourite sports quote?
“The Green Bay Packers never lost a football game. They just ran out of time.” Vince Lombardi.
How would you describe the sport to a non-rower?
Like ballet but on water.
What do you feel is your greatest achievement through rowing, be it accolades or something more personal?
My Olympic Bronze Medal at Tokyo 2020.
What has been your most embarrassing/funny rowing moment?
Multiple finish line near ejector crabs.
Obviously, it is long hours and hard work‚ what inspires you to keep rowing?
For me, it’s about racing the perfect race. Winning will be a by-product of that. However, that feeling of producing perfection is what keeps me pushing day in day out.
What is your favourite movie about sports? Why?
Coach Carter -it’s a perfect illustration of the collective.
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Sport is a great leveller -it teaches you the importance of hard work, integrity and teamwork.
Why do you think someone outside of the sport can relate to your career as an athlete?
My whole sporting career has been in pursuit of chasing a dream. Whether you’re in sport or not, we all dare to dream.
What are your strengths, as a person and as an athlete?
I am committed until the last.
What do your friends think of your athletic success? How do you handle missing out on activities with friends because of your athletic schedule?
They are undoubtedly proud of what I’ve done and always keep a seat at the table ready for me if I am available.
Do you think you can win the Boat Race? Why?
Absolutely. Why not?
Any hobbies, other interests outside rowing?
I am a massive Chelsea football fan as well as a big Welsh rugby fan.