Matthew pinsent biography

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Despite the demands of his studies and public commitments, he and Steve continued to dominate international regattas, winning the World Championship again in 1993.

In 1994, they faced strong competition from a German pair, but Matthew and Steve defeated them first in Lucerne, setting a new world record, and then at the World Championships in Indianapolis.

In the aftermath, Matthew was emotionally and physically drained. Their performance was the perfect response. The crew dedicated their boat and race to Alex Partridge whose freak injury in July denied him from being part of the Four. After winning bronze in their first World Championship, they went on to dominate the sport, winning multiple World Championships.

Steve retired from rowing, but Matthew continued his career, partnering with James Cracknell in the coxless pair. At the age of almost 34, he will compete in the Olympic Games in Athens the following year. In 2002, Matthew won another gold medal, this time in the coxless pair without a coxswain.

Later Years and Future Goals

Unfortunately, in 2003, Matthew experienced a setback and finished fourth at the World Championships, ending his winning streak.

Matthew was awarded the MBE in the 1993 New Year's Honours List and the CBE in the New Years Honours list 2000. At the end neither crew knew who had won until the roar of the British supporters confirmed victory. Prior to that Olympic win he and Redgrave had enjoyed an unbeaten international season, and it was already obvious that Matthew was developing to become one of the world's greatest oarsmen.

After Sydney, Matthew formed a seemingly invincible Coxless Pair partnership with James Cracknell MBE. Undefeated throughout 2001, they went on to complete a unique feat in the history of rowing, by winning the Coxless Pair at the World Championships in Lucerne, a mere two hours after winning the Coxed Pairs. He took part in the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in 1990 and 1991, when Oxford beat Cambridge by substantial distances.

The following year, they won their fourth gold medals at the World Championships, establishing themselves as the favorites for the Olympic gold in Atlanta.

Olympic Success and Transition to Coxless Four

The pressure on Matthew and Steve increased as they remained undefeated since May 1992.

Their unbroken run of successes continued through to the Millennium Olympic Games in Sydney when Pinsent, again with Redgrave (now in a Coxless Four with James Cracknell and Tim Foster) again triumphed earning Pinsent his THIRD Olympic Gold Medal.

He also directed a documentary that followed swimmer Chad Le Clos, ‘Unbelievable – The Chad Le Clos Story’.

Following the announcement of his retirement from rowing in 2004, he was made a Knight Bachelor in the New Year’s Honours list. This pattern continued in the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

After their third Olympic victory in Sydney in 2000, Matthew became as legendary as his partner Steve Redgrave, who won his fifth Olympic gold medal.

Although he has never needed any extra motivation, the 2004 victory was particularly sweet given the year he had endured.