By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, August 3 (Xinhua) — Water sports has been a family tradition for the family of Oliver Zeidler for decades.
But it took a while until the youngest of the rowing family found its way.
Eight years after the 28-year-old skipped swimming and followed the example of his 1972 Olympic gold-winning grandfather Hans-Johann Farber (coxed fourth), and the 1988 gold-winning aunt Judith Zeidler (eights), his exceptional talent came to light.
Three world championships in 2019, 2022, and 2023 indicated the Munich-based athlete might soon leave his marks at the Olympic Games.
But it took several attempts to reach glory. Following a disappointing semifinal exit at the Tokyo Games, despite being one of the favorites, the breakthrough came with the Games in Paris.
In the men’s single sculls final, it seemed Zeidler was running his race almost singularly as he crossed the finish line by a wide margin after having set an Olympic record (6:35.77) in the semis before.
“This is the greatest moment for all of us as a family. It was not only me having to sacrifice but the entire family,” the overwhelmed Olympic champion said.
Leaving nothing to chance in the end might have opened doors to his rowing heavens. Other than most of his competitors the German moved from the Olympic Village last Monday into a hotel located only 25 minutes from the track of the Stade Nautique in Vaire-sur-Marne.
While his competitors had to deal with slight transportation difficulties causing a 60-minute delay in the final race, the German hit the compound in time and started his preparations smoothly.
To go his way paid off as Zeidler skipped the German team preparation training camp in advance of the Paris Games and instead went to practice on the Olympic track.
“It feels great all went the way we wanted. And it is something deeply satisfying, to be able to present something,” the German stated with the gold medal around his neck.
Pressure had been mounting after the Tokyo disappointment. Therefore, Zeidler, this time didn’t accept any compromises. Together with his father and coach Heino, a former rower and fourth at the 1994 World Championships, he set up a strict training plan on the road to Paris.
This time, their intention, nothing should interfere with their preparations. Tears of joy came for the 2.03-meter-tall athlete right after the finish line after he covered the 2,000 meters in 6:37.57.
Yauheni Zalaty (6:42.96/independent participating athlete) and Netherlands Simon van Dorp (6:44.72) were the runners-up.
The world record is still in the hands of New Zealand’s Robbie Manson (6:30.74/2017).
Zeidler’s grandfather witnessed the race on site together with all family members and friends. Only mother Katja went home to Germany after the semifinal as to be around for the last race was too much for her “nerves” as she said.
“Oli, Oli” chants filled the air at the track and somehow seemed to carry the athlete on wings over the finish line with his competitors following several seconds later.
