Tom George believes Team GB foundations for success have been laid
George’s path to Paris 2024 continues at April’s World Cup event in Italy
By Ben Hart, Sportsbeat
Cheltenham rower Tom George believes Team GB have laid the foundations for a summer of Parisian success following his triumph at the Olympic Trials.
George, 29, featured in the men’s eight at the Tokyo Games as one of only two crews to taste success as Great Britain dropped to 14th in the medal table – their lowest rank since 1972.
George pressed on to Paris where some did not, and he believes the squad is now capable of delivering medal-winning performances once again.
“The team is in a really strong place and that’s credit to the guys who turn up every day and perform,” said George.
“The way we hold each other to account and the expectations we have and the high standards, it’s really awesome to be a part of, so that’s been the overarching current that’s run through this cycle.
“The longer that continues, the better place we’re going to be in moving forward.”
Despite his bronze in the eight at Tokyo, George has raced primarily in the pair since, teaming up with Radley College and Cambridge University peer Ollie Wynne-Griffith for silver at the 2023 World and European Championships.
But it was alongside Will Stewart that George scored a statement victory on home waters at Caversham in a significant boost to his hopes of a second Olympic appearance.
“Trials are always an interesting one because you’re racing against your mates,” said George, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme.
“You also know you’ve got a job to do to put yourself in the best position for Olympic selection.
“We haven’t had that long in the boat so to piece together good results and performances is really positive.
“The way we went about it was the most positive aspect, we got off well and then just kept turning the screw. I think that’s a really mature way to race for this point in the season.
“It's written everywhere that these are Olympic trials so to win it, and not many people can say they’ve done that with just one every four years, is really positive.”
Subject to selection, George’s path to Paris 2024 continues at April’s World Cup event in Italy, with minimal crew changes expected thereafter.
He has formed a strong pair with Wynne-Griffith but insists he will give his best in whichever boat he is placed by British Rowing bosses.
“I’ve been in the pair the last couple of years and I’ve really liked it,” he added.
“It’s a special boat, special boat class, there’s a really cool atmosphere internationally amongst the other guys who race the pair.
“But I’ll go wherever I’m put or wherever it’s felt we have the best chance of winning at the Olympic Games because that’s why we’re here, to try and win medals at the Olympics.”
British Rowing is the governing body for the sport and is responsible for the development of rowing in England and the training and selection of rowers to represent Great Britain. The GB Rowing Team is supported by the National Lottery Sports Fund. To find out more, and to follow the team, head to
