Rowing may not be the most glamorous Olympic sport, but don't tell that to Margot Shumway. The 32-year-old Olympic veteran almost didn't qualify for the London team. She and rowing partner, Sarah Trowbridge finished third in the two-person rowing event at the US qualifier in San Diego last April, with the top two teams qualifying for the Olympic team. Set to retire from rowing, Shumway and Trowbridge were given a rare second chance. The top two teams declined the berth, preferring to concentrate on other rowing events.
About Margot Shumway
Shumway, a native of Northeast Ohio, has only been rowing since 2001. She discovered the sport in college, during her fourth year at The Ohio State University, and set her sights on making the Olympic team in 2008. She made that team and finished a not-so-shabby fifth in the quadruple sculls in Beijing. After that, she won the 2009 US single scull team trials for the world championships and was 13th at the world championship that year.
It hasn't all been victory for Shumway. After her victories in 2008 and 2009, she struggled, even losing her place on the US rowing team in 2011. Instead of giving up, she and coach, Matt Madigan redoubled their efforts. The work paid off. Shumway won the gold at the Pan Am Games in October of 2011.
The competition in London will be intense for Shumway and Strowbridge. The field in the two-person rowing event includes British rower Katherine Grainger, a silver medalist in Sydney, Athens and Beijing.
Want to learn more about Shumway's Olympic journey? You can follow her on Twitter and/or read her mother's blog, "2012 Olympic Hopeful Rower's Mom."
Other Articles about the London Olympics by Sandy Mitchell
Gay, Gatlin and Bailey Head to London for the Mens 100m
A Visitor's Guide to Hampden Park Stadium
Getting Ready for the Olympic Torch Relay
