Competitors 66 from 13 nations Location Mexico City, Mexico Teams 13 | Dates 13 Oct 1968 – 19 Oct 1968 Venue Xochimilco | |
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The men's coxed four competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place at Virgilio Uribe Rowing and Canoeing Course, Mexico City, Mexico. It was held from 13 to 19 October and was unexpectedly won by the team from New Zealand, which secured the country its first Olympic rowing medal.
Contents
Background
At the 1964 Summer Olympics, the men's coxed four event was won by the United Team of Germany. It was the last appearance of the German United Team. The 1962 World Rowing Championships had been won by the team from West Germany, and the 1966 World Rowing Championships had been won by East Germany. The West Germans had come second at the 1965 European Rowing Championships. The crew from the Soviet Union also belonged to the group of favourites, as they had won the last three European Rowing Championships and gained silver at the 1966 World Rowing Championships. A further medal contender was Italy, who had several previous Olympians in their boat. The New Zealand team had originally been selected as four rowers and a cox as a backup to the country's eight that had qualified. They started training together in Christchurch on the Avon River and gained the impression that they had the potential to win a medal as a coxed four. There were stern discussions with the New Zealand selectors but in the end, the rowers got their way and were put forward as a team of their own.
Races were held in up to six lanes. Thirteen teams from 13 nations attended the competition.
Heats
Three heats were rowed on 13 October; these were the first three rowing races of the 1968 Summer Olympics. Two of the heats had four teams and one had five teams, with the first three teams to qualify for the semi-finals, and the remaining teams progressing to the repechage.
Repechage
One heat was rowed in the repechage on 15 October. Of the four teams competing, the first three would progress to the semi-finals. The team from the host nation was eliminated in the repechage.
Semi-finals
Two heats were rowed in the semi-finals on 17 October. Of the six teams competing per heat, the first three would qualify for the final, while the others would progress to the small final.
Heat 2
Note that the team from the Soviet Union replaced one of their rowers in this heat, and swapped some seats. Anatoly Nemtyryov rowed in this heat only.
Small final
The small final (now termed B final) was raced on 18 October.
Final
The final (now termed A final) was raced on 19 October. The New Zealand team unexpectedly beat the team from East Germany by over two seconds. In another surprise, the Swiss boat overtook the Italians for the bronze medal position. The win secured New Zealand its first Olympic rowing gold, and its third Olympic rowing medal in total. The Olympic competition was the first time that the team had raced together. The medals were presented by IOC vice-president Konstantin Adrianow.