Top rowers to watch in Rio
With the 2016 Rio Games around the corner, get to know the top Olympic rowers.
U.S. Rowing's women’s eight team
The prestigious U.S. women’s eight (W8+) dynasty is coming into the Rio Games seeking their third straight Olympic gold medal and 11th straight world title. They have remained undefeated in a world or Olympic title since 2006. (The W8+ and other Olympic disciplines are not contested at the World Rowing Championships in Olympic years)
U.S. Rowing women's eight seek 11th straight world title at the Rio Olympics. [left to right] Amanda Polk, Kerry Simmonds, Emily Regan, Lauren Schmetterling, Tessa Gobbo, Meghan Musnicki, Eleanor Logan, Amanda Elmore and Katelin Snyder. Credit: U.S. Rowing
U.S. Rowing announces prestigious women's eight Olympic team, men's four, two others
Ondrej Synek
Czech Republic's men's single sculls (M1x) star, Ondrej Synek, seeks his first Olympic gold medal at the Rio Games. At the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, he won silver.
Czech Republic's Ondrej Synek competes in the men's single sculls during the 2014 World Rowing Championships. Credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos; 2014 Getty Images
This time around, Synek is fresh off three consecutive world championships with four total under his belt. However, the M1x London Games gold medalist, Mahé Drysdale, is vying to defend his title. The M1x final at the Rio Games surely won't disappoint.
Helen Glover and Heather Stanning
Great Britain's dynamic duo have been undefeated in the women’s pair (W2-) since 2011. Glover and Stanning hold the world record time in the W2- with 6 minutes, 50.61 seconds achieved at the 2014 World Rowing Championships.
Britain's Helen Glover (left) and Heather Stanning (right) celebrate after winning gold in the women's pair at the 2012 London Games. Credit: Kyle Terada; USA Today Sports
Eric Murray and Hamish Bond
The Kiwi twosome are undefeated in the men’s pair (M2-) since 2007. The M2- crown is theirs to surrender, so unless the unexpected happens, expect Murray and Bond to claim gold in the event.
New Zealand's Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, from right, compete at the men's pair final at the World Cup on Lake Rotsee in Lucerne, Switzerland. Credit: 2016 The Associated Press
Valent Sinković and Martin Sinković
Introduced to rowing by their first-born brother Matija, Valent followed his footsteps and Martin followed suit after a football injury sidelined him from the sport. It wasn’t until after the London Games that Martin and Valent discovered their path to success.
Croatia's Martin Sinkovic (left) and Valent Sinkovic (right) celebrate victory in the men's double sculls at the 2015 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland. Credit: Philipp Schmidli; 2015 Getty Images
The Sinković brothers won gold in the M2x at the 2014 and 2015 World Championships and will claim Croatia’s first Olympic gold medal in rowing with a victory at the Rio Games.
Rowing 101
Learn more about rowing:
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Top athletes to watch in Rio
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