Olympic
Gold medalist, TV presenter, columnist, motivator,
team builder
Winning Gold in Athens in 2004 in one of the most
heart stopping races in history confirmed James
Cracknell as one of the most successful and inspiring
athletes of the modern era. Currently Double Olympic
Champion and World Record holder along with partner
Matthew Pinsent, he is one of Britain’s true
sporting heroes. James is a talented corporate speaker and brilliant after dinner speaker.
James won his first Olympic Gold and the hearts
of the nation in the legendary coxless four in
Sydney 2000, together with Steve Redgrave, Matthew
Pinsent and Tim Foster. After four years of intense
training and determination, James repeated this
incredible performance in Athens, winning his
second Olympic Gold medal in a nail biting final
with Matthew Pinsent, Steve Williams and Ed Coode.
James has also had phenomenal success in the coxless
pairs, forming a partnership with Matthew Pinsent
after the Sydney Olympics. In their first season
together they embraced the momentous challenge
of competing in the coxed and coxless pair races
at the 2001 World Championships in the same afternoon.
In front of a huge crowd in Lucerne, they snatched
both Golds, achieving the one feat that had eluded
Sir Steve Redgrave.
To go one better in the 2002 World Championships
in Seville, the pair successfully retained the
coxless pairs title, obliterating the competition
with an incredible time of 6:14.27 and smashing
the world record by nearly four seconds.
In preparation for the 2004 Olympics, James and
Matthew switched back into the coxless four with
Steve Williams and ultimately Ed Coode who replaced
Alex Partridge after he suffered a punctured lung
a month before the Games. But not even a late
replacement could deter the team from clinching
Gold – and the nation’s hearts once
again.
In recognition of his achievements and character,
James is the youngest ever Captain of England's
oldest rowing club Leander, where he has taken
great steps to break down the traditional barriers
to rowing, and build a young, vibrant club which
is achieving its best ever results in all age
groups.
But the life of one of Britain's most successful
athletes is not all boats and water. James is
an ex-teacher and a masters graduate, and when
he isn't riding his motorbike or surfing, he is
busy making regular TV and radio appearances.
His wide appeal means that he is as likely to
be found on Children's BBC as he is on a debate
for Radio 5 and he has presented gongs at the
BAFTAs as well as the Disney Channel Kids Awards.
Also a firm favourite with the lifestyle press,
James is admired by the public for his style and
success and has been the recipient of many lifestyle
awards.
James has recently announced a year’s break
from rowing, during which he will pursue his ever-growing
media commitments, writing as a Daily Telegraph
journalist across sporting, motoring and lifestyle
issues and broadcasting for ITV Sport. James will
also be keeping fit in the manner of a true Olympian-
aiming to run the 2005 Flora London Marathon in
under 3 hours and also taking on a triathlon later
in the year.
James’ outstanding sporting achievements,
intelligence and good sense of humour have also
made him popular choice of Corporate Speaker.
With the ability to tailor his experiences to
captivate and motivate a variety of audiences,
James has inspired and entertained blue chip clients
including BT, GlaxoSmithKline, Hewlett-Packard
and McDonald’s. Four – GOLD
James Cracknell MBE career history
2003 World Championships, Coxless Pair - 4th
Henley Royal Regatta, Coxless Pair - Winners
Henley Royal Regatta, Coxed Fours - Winners
2002 World Championships, Coxless Pair - GOLD
(World Record)
Henley Royal Regatta, Coxless pair - Winners
Henley Royal Regatta, Coxed pair - Winners
2001 World Championships, Coxless pair - GOLD
World Championships, Coxed pair - GOLD
Winner of the FISA World Cup, Coxless pair
2000 Olympic Games, Coxless four - GOLD
Winner of the FISA World Cup Coxless four
1999 World Championships, Coxless four - GOLD
Winner of the FISA World Cup Coxless four
1998 World Championships, Coxless four - GOLD
1997 World Championships, Coxless four - GOLD
Winner of the FISA World Cup Coxless four
1993 World Student Games, eight - SILVER
1990 World Junior Rowing Championships, Junior
Coxless Four - GOLD |
